Zero-knowledge encryption ensures only the user can access their data by encrypting it before it leaves their device. Unlike traditional cloud storage, where companies can decrypt your files, zero-knowledge systems make this technically impossible.
The zero-knowledge proof, a concept developed by MIT researchers Shafi Goldwasser, Silvio Micali, and Charles Rackoff in the 1980s, underpins this technology. Here’s the key difference: your data gets encrypted using encryption keys derived from your master password, and these keys never leave your control. Service providers never have access to encryption keys or plaintext data, maintaining complete user privacy even when their servers face security threats.
Data remains encrypted during transmission, storage, and processing on external servers. The service provider sees only meaningless encrypted data that looks like random characters. This encryption method eliminates the risk of data exposure even if service providers are compromised by hackers, government requests, or internal threats. Client-side encryption allows users to encrypt their data before it is uploaded to the cloud, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from the outset.
A zero-knowledge protocol is the mathematical foundation that enables these systems to function without revealing sensitive information to anyone, including the service provider.
Most zero-knowledge systems use industry-standard AES-256 encryption, the same technology that protects classified government information. Common encryption protocols include Advanced Encryption Standards (AES) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). The difference lies in who controls the encryption keys, and with zero knowledge architecture, only the user holds that power.
Client-Side Encryption Process:
Data is encrypted on the user’s device using a key derived from their Passcode. This happens before any information travels across the internet. Encryption algorithms like AES-256 scramble data before it leaves the user’s device, converting readable files into unintelligible ciphertext. The Caesar cipher is an example of symmetric encryption.
Your passcode generates a unique encryption key through a mathematical process called key derivation. This key never leaves the user’s control - it exists only in your device’s memory while you’re using the service. Your passcode generates the same key every time through complex mathematical algorithms, but the actual key never gets stored or transmitted.
Files are converted to unreadable ciphertext using the algorithm. A simple text document becomes a string of random-looking characters. An image becomes meaningless data blocks. Only devices with the correct passcode and therefor correct derived decryption key can restore your file to its original form.
The encrypted file is transmitted to servers where it remains in ciphertext form. The cloud storage company receives and stores your files, but they look like digital gibberish. Without your encryption key, there’s no way to make sense of the stored information.
Encryption Key Management: Securing the Keys to Your Data
Effective encryption key management is at the heart of zero-knowledge security. In a zero-knowledge system, the encryption key that protects your data is typically derived from your Passcode. This means that only the user has access to the encryption key, and no one else—including the service provider—can decrypt your encrypted data.
Proper key management is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and preventing data breaches. If the Passcode is lost or compromised or destroyed, access to encrypted data can be permanently lost or exposed to malicious actors. That’s why it’s crucial to use a secure method to store your Passcode. By following best practices—such as creating strong, unique passwords and securely backing up recovery keys—users can ensure their data remains protected.
Zero knowledge security puts the responsibility for key management in the hands of the user, offering maximum privacy and control. By understanding and implementing robust encryption key management, you can confidently encrypt data, knowing that only you can access and decrypt your most sensitive information. This approach not only protects against unauthorized access but also provides peace of mind in an era of frequent data breaches and evolving cyber threats.
We only ever recommend that a User of this website store the Passcode on a NFC card or store it on a USB drive, never on device. Follow the link on the main page or here to learn more about NFC card storage.
