🔐 Encrypto — File Encryption Tool
A Python command-line tool for encrypting and decrypting files — converting plaintext to ciphertext using symmetric encryption. Designed for secure local file storage and safe data transport.
Project Overview
Encrypto is a fast, lightweight, and highly secure command-line file encryption utility designed for developers, researchers, and security professionals who need to quickly secure sensitive files without relying on bloated GUI applications or cloud-based encryption services.
It ensures that critical data—such as API keys, private certificates, or confidential client reports—can be locked down at rest and safely transported over untrusted networks.
Technical Implementation
The tool is developed purely in Python and relies on the renowned `cryptography` library (specifically the Fernet module) for its cryptographic operations. It implements symmetric encryption using AES-128 in CBC mode, paired with a SHA256 HMAC signature to ensure both confidentiality and strict ciphertext integrity.
Key derivation is handled via PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2) with a unique randomly generated salt per operation. This prevents rainbow table attacks and ensures that even if two files are encrypted with the same password, their resulting ciphertexts will be completely entirely different.
Key Features / Findings
- Secure symmetric encryption using AES with HMAC for integrity verification.
- PBKDF2 key derivation with unique salting to thwart dictionary attacks.
- Support for encrypting any file type (text, binaries, archives, images).
- Intuitive CLI interface with secure, invisible password prompts.
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Linux).