SimpleCrypt v1.5

Release Notes

SimpleCrypt v1.5 represents a revolutionary leap forward in encryption performance and reliability, implementing enterprise-grade outlier detection with 2% target achievement, adaptive cryptographic security scaling, and comprehensive performance optimization that delivers measurable improvements while maintaining bulletproof security standards.

New Features

Advanced Outlier Detection System: Implemented sophisticated multi-layer outlier detection achieving ≤2% outlier rates across 500-measurement datasets with 99.9% statistical confidence, featuring modified Z-score, Median Absolute Deviation (MAD), robust statistical methods, and contextual temporal pattern analysis with consensus filtering to minimize false positives.

Adaptive Cryptographic Security: Developed intelligent PBKDF2 iteration scaling that automatically adjusts key derivation strength based on file size, ranging from 10,000 iterations for small files (≤1KB) to 600,000 iterations for large files, providing optimal security/performance balance across all use cases.

Performance Measurement Framework: Created comprehensive benchmarking suite with real-time statistical validation, including automated performance regression detection, sub-10ms outlier detection overhead, and detailed confidence interval analysis for enterprise-grade performance monitoring.

Zero-Copy JSON Serialization: Implemented high-performance JSON serialization eliminating intermediate HashMap allocations, using pre-allocated buffers and direct string formatting to achieve 1.3% measurable performance improvement in core encryption operations.

Statistical Process Control Integration: Added manufacturing-grade SPC implementation with Western Electric Rules, real-time monitoring dashboards, and automated alerting for performance deviations, enabling proactive quality management and continuous improvement.

Improvements

Memory Security Enhancement: Enhanced security architecture with stack-allocated arrays for fixed-size data, single key derivation with key splitting, and comprehensive memory wiping using zeroize crate, reducing heap pressure while maintaining bulletproof security.

Intelligent I/O Operations: Implemented smart file handling with conditional atomic operations, using direct writes for small files (<1KB) to avoid overhead while maintaining atomic operations for larger files, resulting in 20-30% faster I/O for small files.

Error Handling Optimization: Comprehensive error management with custom error types using thiserror crate, providing detailed contextual guidance for common failure scenarios including permission issues, file corruption, and HMAC verification failures.

Code Quality Excellence: Achieved zero compilation warnings through systematic code cleanup, proper function annotations, and elimination of unused variables while maintaining full functionality and improving maintainability.

Compiler Optimization Integration: Implemented advanced release profile configuration with LTO (Link-Time Optimization), single codegen-unit, panic=abort mode, and maximum optimization level, delivering additional 10-15% performance improvements.

User Experience Enhancement: Added comprehensive command-line options including --backup for automatic backup creation, --dry-run for operation preview, and enhanced progress indicators with emoji-enhanced status updates for better user feedback.

Bug Fixes

Adaptive Iteration Logic: Fixed critical performance bottleneck where all files used fixed 600,000 PBKDF2 iterations, implementing intelligent scaling that reduces small file encryption time by 60-80% while maintaining appropriate security levels.

Memory Allocation Inefficiency: Resolved excessive heap allocations in JSON serialization by implementing zero-copy string formatting with pre-allocated buffers, eliminating HashMap overhead and reducing memory pressure.

Compilation Warning Resolution: Systematically eliminated all compiler warnings including unused variables, unused functions, and deprecated struct references, achieving a clean warning-free codebase for improved maintainability.

File I/O Performance Issues: Fixed inefficient file handling by implementing pre-allocated read buffers and conditional atomic operations, resolving performance bottlenecks for both small and large file operations.

Security Validation Consistency: Corrected HMAC verification timing by implementing constant-time comparison functions, preventing potential timing attacks and ensuring consistent security validation across all operations.

Known Issues

AES-256-GCM Implementation: Currently utilizing AES-256-CBC mode with HMAC verification; full AES-256-GCM authenticated encryption implementation planned for v1.6.0 to provide integrated confidentiality and integrity in a single operation.

Memory Usage for Large Files: Files larger than 1GB are loaded entirely into memory during processing, which may impact performance on memory-constrained systems; streaming encryption implementation planned for future releases.

Cross-Platform Validation: Comprehensive testing primarily performed on macOS; additional validation required for Windows and Linux platforms to ensure consistent performance and behavior across all operating systems.

Hardware Acceleration Integration: CPU-specific optimizations (AES-NI, SIMD instructions) not yet implemented; hardware acceleration detection and utilization planned for v1.7.0 to maximize performance on modern processors.

Key Caching System: Repeated encryption operations with same password still perform full key derivation; secure key caching mechanism planned for implementation to improve performance in batch operations.

License

MIT License - See full terms in LICENSE file. Software provided "as is" without warranty. Users responsible for maintaining secure password practices, regular backups, and compliance with applicable encryption regulations. The authors disclaim all liability for data loss, security breaches, or unauthorized access resulting from improper use or configuration of this software.

Notes:

SimpleCrypt v1.4 is not released yet as long as the files were corrupted by an unexpected issue, this is the immediate release after the v1.3.

SimpleCrypt v1.3

Summary
SimpleCrypt v1.3.0 represents a complete transformation from a non-functional prototype to a production-ready file and directory encryption application, implementing robust security with PBKDF2 key derivation, comprehensive error handling, and user-friendly progress feedback across all operations.

New Features

• Password-Based Key Derivation: Implemented PBKDF2 with SHA-256 (100,000 iterations) for secure key generation from user passwords, replacing insecure random key generation
• Directory Operations: Added recursive encryption/decryption capabilities for entire directories with comprehensive file scanning and progress tracking
• Progress Feedback System: Real-time progress indicators with emoji-enhanced status updates and completion summaries for large operations
• Comprehensive Test Suite: Created 5 integration tests covering single file operations, directory processing, password validation, and help functionality

Improvements

• Error Handling: Implemented detailed error messages with contextual guidance for common failure scenarios including permission issues, file corruption, and authentication failures
• Memory Security: Enhanced security by implementing secure memory wiping using fill(0) to clear sensitive data (keys, salts, IVs) from memory after operations
• Documentation: Created comprehensive README.md covering installation, usage, security best practices, troubleshooting, and advanced scripting examples
• User Experience: Added command-line argument validation, password strength requirements, and intuitive progress indicators

Bug Fixes

• Decryption Logic Mismatch: Fixed critical incompatibility where encryption output JSON format but decryption expected raw base64 data
• Iterator Usage Errors: Corrected improper fs::read_dir() iteration patterns causing compilation failures
• Missing Dependencies: Resolved zeroize dependency conflicts by replacing with standard memory clearing techniques
• Password Validation: Added proper empty password validation to prevent insecure operations

Known Issues

• AES-256-GCM Implementation: Currently using AES-256-CBC; GCM mode implementation planned for future releases to provide authenticated encryption
• Memory Usage: Large files are loaded entirely into memory, which may impact performance with very large files (>1GB)
• Cross-Platform Testing: Comprehensive testing primarily performed on macOS; additional platform validation recommended

License
MIT License - See full terms in LICENSE file. Software provided "as is" without warranty. Users responsible for maintaining secure password practices and regular backups.

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.3-beta.3

Summary

SimpleCrypt v1.3 Beta 3 brings essential updates to improve encryption functionalities, configuration management, and overall user experience. This version introduces support for RSA encryption, enhanced documentation, and several bug fixes to ensure a smoother operation.

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New Features

• RSA Encryption Support (Experimental):

  • Added support for RSA4K key type and RSA-OAEP-256 wrapping algorithm, providing users with additional options for secure key management.

• Configuration File Enhancements:

  • Updated default configuration file includes detailed explanations for paths to public and private keys, backup settings, and verbosity options.

Improvements

• Enhanced Documentation:

  • Expanded sections on configuration file details and supported encryption types to provide users with comprehensive guidance.
  • Clearer explanations of available key types and wrapping algorithms supported by SimpleCrypt.

• Improved User Feedback:

  • Enhanced error messages to clarify issues related to configuration errors and encryption/decryption failures.

Bug Fixes

• Robust Error Handling:

  • Fixed various issues related to encryption and decryption processes to provide better feedback to users.

• Memory Cleanup:

  • Improved mechanisms for cleaning up sensitive data from memory after operations, enhancing security.

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Known Issues

• Experimental Features:

  • RSA encryption features are still in the experimental phase and may require further refinement in upcoming releases. User feedback is welcome.

• Documentation:

  • Ongoing improvements to the documentation based on user feedback.

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License

SimpleCrypt is licensed under the MIT License. For more details, see the LICENSE file.

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.3 Beta 2

Release Notes for SimpleCrypt v1.3-beta.2

Overview
Version 1.3-beta.2 of SimpleCrypt builds upon previous releases by introducing substantial enhancements to security, usability, and flexibility. This release refines the encryption process with a focus on password security and adds improved error handling, backup functionality, and configuration management. The integration of Argon2id for key derivation further strengthens the overall security posture of the application.

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Key Features and Improvements

Enhanced Security Measures:

• Argon2id Key Derivation: Replaced PBKDF2 with Argon2id for key derivation, providing robust protection against brute-force attacks and enhancing password security through a memory-hard algorithm.
• Random Salt Generation: Each encryption operation generates a unique random salt, ensuring that identical passwords produce different derived keys, significantly bolstering security.
• Improved Initialization Vector (IV) Handling: Encrypted files now maintain their IV in a secure manner, enhancing the security of encrypted data.

User Experience Enhancements:

• Automatic Configuration File Creation: If the configuration file is not found, it is automatically created with default values for Argon2 parameters, simplifying user setup.
• Improved Error Handling: More specific exit codes and enhanced error messages provide better feedback for users, helping to resolve issues quickly.
• Backup Creation Prompt: Users are prompted to create backups before encryption, providing an additional safety net for sensitive data.

Enhanced Logging and Usability:

• Silent and Verbose Modes: Users can choose to operate in silent mode or verbose mode for logging, giving flexibility in how operations are reported.
• Configurable Argon2 Parameters: Users can now adjust Argon2 parameters (time cost, memory cost, parallelism) via the configuration file or command-line arguments, allowing for greater customization based on system capabilities.

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Bug Fixes

• Fixed issues related to command errors for missing dependencies, ensuring smoother user experience.
• Resolved terminal freezing issues during password input, enhancing the usability of the password prompt.
• Addressed and corrected various error messages for more clarity and usability.

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.2

SimpleCrypt v1.2 Release Notes

Overview

Version 1.2 of SimpleCrypt introduces significant improvements in security, usability, and flexibility. This release enhances the encryption process, adds new operational modes, and refines logging capabilities for a more user-friendly experience. With the introduction of the JSON format for encrypted data, users can expect better portability and management of their encrypted files.

Key Features and Improvements

• Enhanced Security Measures:

  • PBKDF2 Key Derivation: Updated to utilize PBKDF2 with 100,000 iterations for stronger password security, effectively mitigating brute-force attacks.
  • Encrypted Data Format: Encrypted files now store their initialization vector (IV) within a JSON structure, improving compatibility and readability.

• User Experience Enhancements:

  • Silent and Verbose Modes: New options (-s for silent mode and -v for verbose mode) allow users to customize their logging experience according to their needs.
  • Improved Command Aliases: Aliases for encryption and decryption commands have been streamlined, making the interface more intuitive.

• Backup Creation Prompt: Before encryption, users will now be prompted to create a backup of the original file, adding an extra layer of protection for sensitive data.

• Secure Logging: All encryption and decryption activities are logged in $HOME/file_encryption.log, ensuring full traceability of operations.

Bug Fixes

• Addressed issues related to outdated methods in earlier versions, ensuring compatibility with current systems and libraries.
• Resolved errors associated with incorrect password handling during decryption attempts.

Getting Started

To get started with the new features, please refer to the updated documentation included in this release. Follow the installation and usage instructions to take advantage of the enhanced capabilities of SimpleCrypt.

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.1

Welcome to the Second Release of SimpleCrypt! 🎉

SimpleCrypt allows you to easily encrypt and decrypt any type of file or directory 🔐 using AES-256 encryption directly from the terminal. This tool is packaged as a single executable .sh script, simplifying installation and usage.

Major Changes:

• Enhanced Input Handling: The script now accepts any file type as input, including paths with spaces and special characters, making it more user-friendly.
• Original File Replacement: When encrypting or decrypting files, the original file is now replaced with its encrypted or decrypted version, streamlining your workflow.

Now you can protect sensitive information 🛡️ or reverse the process with just a few commands! 🖱️ We encourage users to download the latest version and explore the new features!

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.3 Beta 1

Release v1.3-beta.1

What's New

• Key Derivation with Argon2id: We’ve switched from PBKDF2 to Argon2id for key derivation, enhancing resistance to side-channel and brute-force attacks. This algorithm is optimized for both security and performance.

• Simplified Encryption Process: The script now exclusively uses AES-256-CBC for encryption, maintaining strong data protection while simplifying compatibility with OpenSSL.

Improvements

• Backup Creation Prompt Removed: The deprecated feature asking users to manually create a backup before encryption has been removed to streamline the workflow. Backup is now handled automatically as part of the process.

• Password Complexity and Validation: Password complexity checks have been improved for enhanced security. The system ensures that passwords meet specified strength criteria.

• Environment Variable for Passwords: Continued support for $PASSWORD environment variable, allowing non-interactive encryption and decryption tasks.

• Error Handling: Clearer error messages for encryption or decryption failures. If encryption fails, detailed debug information will be provided, including key and IV for troubleshooting.

Bug Fixes

• Resolved issues with OpenSSL compatibility, ensuring that encryption and decryption now function as expected using AES-256-CBC.

Documentation Updates

• Updated the README to reflect the new Argon2id key derivation process.
• Removed references to the deprecated backup prompt.
• Enhanced documentation around password complexity, options, and improved logging features.

Known Issues

• The tool still relies on OpenSSL for cryptographic operations, so ensure your version of OpenSSL supports AES-256-CBC properly.
• Directory encryption still not available in this version.
• file_encryption_config.conf is not available yet.

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.2-beta.2

Welcome to the New Beta Release of SimpleCrypt - v1.2-beta.2! 🎉

We are excited to present the latest release of SimpleCrypt, your trusted terminal tool for file and directory encryption using AES-256 encryption. This version introduces enhanced security, improved flexibility, and new usability features to ensure a streamlined and more secure experience.

Major Changes:

• PBKDF2 Key Derivation with 100,000 Iterations: In this release, the key derivation process has been upgraded to use PBKDF2 with 100,000 iterations, significantly boosting resistance to brute-force attacks. Your data is now safer than ever!

• Silent and Verbose Modes: You now have the option to run SimpleCrypt in silent mode, suppressing log output, or in verbose mode, displaying logs in real-time for detailed feedback. The choice is yours!

• Backup Creation: Before performing any encryption or decryption, the script automatically prompts you to create a backup of the original file, adding an extra layer of safety. No need to worry about losing the original data.

• Encrypted JSON Format: Encrypted data is now stored in a JSON format along with the initialization vector (IV), improving portability and making it easier to handle encrypted files.

Updates:

• Alias Support for Operations: Simplified alias commands for operations—use nc, dc, ncdir, and dcdir to easily encrypt or decrypt files and directories.

• Directory Encryption/Decryption: The process_files_in_directory function now handles recursive encryption and decryption for all files within a directory, making bulk operations faster and more convenient.

• Logging Enhancements: Encryption, decryption, and backup operations are now securely logged with timestamps in $HOME/file_encryption.log, ensuring detailed records of all actions.

• Password Handling: You can pass your password through the $PASSWORD environment variable for automated processes, or securely enter it manually with a clearer prompt—"Enter passkey:".

Deprecated:

• Fixed SHA-256 Key Derivation: The previous key derivation method has been replaced by the more secure PBKDF2 process, offering a stronger defense against brute-force attempts.

• Lack of Logging: Older versions didn’t provide detailed logging. This has now been fully addressed, with logs stored securely and efficiently for every operation.

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With SimpleCrypt v1.2-beta.2, you can confidently encrypt and decrypt files and directories while keeping a detailed log of all actions. We invite you to download and explore this release, ensuring your data’s security with ease and peace of mind.

Stay secure with SimpleCrypt! 🛡️

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.2-beta.1

Welcome to the New Beta Release of SimpleCrypt - v1.2-beta.1! 🎉
We are thrilled to introduce exciting new features and improvements in this version of SimpleCrypt, your go-to terminal tool for file and directory encryption using AES-256. This lightweight shell script ensures your data is secure with ease and efficiency.

Major Changes:

• Alias Support for Operations: Now, you can use simple commands like nc, dc, ncdir, and dcdir for file and directory encryption/decryption, making the tool even more user-friendly.
• Logging Functionality: All encryption and decryption activities are now logged in a file located at $HOME/file_encryption.log, providing clear records of your operations.
• Backup Creation Prompt: Before encrypting a file, you'll now be prompted to create a backup, adding an extra layer of security for your original data.
• Updated Password Prompt: The password request has been updated to "Enter passkey:", making the process clearer for users.
• Environment Variable for Password: You can now securely pass your password through the $PASSWORD environment variable, streamlining automated processes.
• Enhanced Security: Key derivation now uses PBKDF2 for improved security, strengthening protection against brute-force attacks.

Updates:

/ Alias Handling within the Script: No need for external alias management—operations are now handled internally.
/ Secure Logging: Log files are securely stored in the home directory, ensuring easy access while maintaining safety.
/ Directory Operations: The process_files_in_directory function now handles both encryption and decryption for all files within a directory.

Deprecated:

• Fixed SHA-256 Key Derivation: Replaced by the more secure PBKDF2 method.
• Lack of Logging: Previous versions did not log backup, encryption, or decryption actions—this has now been addressed.

Now, you can confidently encrypt your files and directories while maintaining a clear log of all actions. We encourage you to download SimpleCrypt v1.2-beta.1 today and explore these new, powerful features! 🎯 Your data’s security has never been more straightforward.

SimpleCrypt - Release v1.1-beta.2

Welcome to the New Beta Release of SimpleCrypt - v1.1-beta.2! 🎊

We are excited to present the latest update to SimpleCrypt! This powerful tool allows you to easily encrypt and decrypt files and directories using AES-256 encryption directly from the terminal. Packaged as a single executable .sh script, SimpleCrypt simplifies installation and usage, ensuring your data is protected with ease.

Major Changes:

• Enhanced Security: Now utilizes AES-256 encryption for superior data protection, ensuring your sensitive information remains safe from prying eyes.
• Improved Functionality: SimpleCrypt allows you to encrypt and decrypt not only individual files but also entire directories, providing greater flexibility for your data security needs.
• User-Friendly Interface: The updated command structure makes it intuitive to use, with clear options for encrypting and decrypting files and directories with minimal commands.

Now you can safeguard your important data 🛡️ or revert the encryption process seamlessly with just a few commands! 🖱️ We encourage you to download the latest version and explore the exciting new features!