AuthCrypt, a Hybrid Authentication and Encryption System for Secure Local Data Storage
Kumar, Nikhil (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601121229
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601121229
Tiivistelmä
The increasing use of personal computers for storing sensitive information has raised serious concerns about data security, especially among nontechnical users who rarely apply encryption in everyday practice. Many existing security solutions are difficult to configure or require advanced technical knowledge, which limits their adoption by ordinary users. The purpose of this thesis is to address this problem by designing and implementing AuthCrypt, a simple desktop application that enables secure local file encryption without requiring specialized expertise.
The study is grounded in established cryptographic theory and focuses on the principles of confidentiality and integrity. The system applies a password based key derivation function to strengthen user passwords and uses authenticated encryption to protect files from unauthorized access and manipulation. A modular software architecture and an iterative development methodology were adopted, supported by systematic testing to verify functional correctness and security properties.
The results show that AuthCrypt successfully encrypts local files, reliably detects tampering, and maintains usability through a clear graphical interface. The study concludes that when standard cryptographic libraries are applied correctly, it is possible to achieve effective and user-friendly local data protection while also supporting educational objectives in secure software development.
The study is grounded in established cryptographic theory and focuses on the principles of confidentiality and integrity. The system applies a password based key derivation function to strengthen user passwords and uses authenticated encryption to protect files from unauthorized access and manipulation. A modular software architecture and an iterative development methodology were adopted, supported by systematic testing to verify functional correctness and security properties.
The results show that AuthCrypt successfully encrypts local files, reliably detects tampering, and maintains usability through a clear graphical interface. The study concludes that when standard cryptographic libraries are applied correctly, it is possible to achieve effective and user-friendly local data protection while also supporting educational objectives in secure software development.