PassLok privacy

For instructions on how to do things, click on each title below. Click again to hide.

To get instructions as you click buttons in PassLok, check Learn in the Options tab.

What is PassLok?

Before you do anything else, you may want to watch this three-minute video, which explains the essential concepts in a lighthearted way (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxgrES_CGcg

PassLok locks text and files, and sets up secure real time chat sessions using strong end-to-end encryption.
PassLok is based on Keys and Locks. You lock something with someone else's Lock, so only that person can unlock it with his/her Key.
Your Key is a short piece of text, which can be anything you want so you can remember it.
The matching Lock is then made from your Key. It is impossible to get the Key or your email from the Lock.
You should never give your Key to anyone. Your Lock, however, is meant to be distributed freely, like a phone number.

This approach has a number of advantages over other privacy apps that you may be familiar with:

PassLok does not involve a server (except for starting a chat), so it runs offline.
The same code runs on computers, phones, and tablets, to make it perfectly portable.
You can use PassLok with your favorite email, texting app, or any program, by cut and paste.
PassLok does not need to store anything secret. The only secret is your Key, which stays in your head.
You can use PassLok with a public or borrowed device as easily and safely as with your private phone or computer.
Several users (or several identities) can coexist on the same device.

PassLok is still in experimental phase since there has not been enough time for security experts to uncover possible flaws. Bear this in mind before entrusting critical secrets to it.

Invite others to PassLok

Before you can communicate with others using PassLok, they must have obtained the app, come up with a secret Key (which they won't tell you), generated a Lock from it, and sent it back to you.

You can tell others about PassLok any way you want, but PassLok can help you to start your network with a single keystroke, this way:

1. With the main box empty or showing your Lock, click the Email button.

2. A new page should open in your default email, containing a basic set of instructions on how to get PassLok, plus your personal Lock. Edit it as needed, then write the recipients' email addresses and send it.

This is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wTJWyd9s64

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People who did not get your email will still be able to obtain your Lock if you post it in the General Directory. To do this, click the myLock button if your Lock is not already displayed, then the small Edit button near the top, and then the large General Directory button. A new page will open where you only need to supply your email address, click Post, and reply to a confirmation email.

How to make a strong Key

You should be able to remember your secret Key without having to write it down. PassLok does not store the Key anywhere. In fact, it deletes it from memory after five minutes of not being used (this can be changed).

Your Key will be stronger if it contains caPiTals in unusual places, numb3rs, and $ymbol$. If you use common words, miespell them to make harder a "dictionary attack." Break the words up with num334bers and sy#$%mbols. Avoid anything that might be easy to guess. PassLok knows frequently used words, but hackers' dictionaries are bigger. Do not use grammatically correct sentences, even if PassLok gives a big score.

PassLok compensates for weak Keys by adding spurious computations. If PassLok is slow, this may be because your Key strength is less than Medium.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbNM_cf8My0

Get a hint to remember my Key

If you are reading this, likely you have gained limited access to PassLok by clicking Cancel at the Key entry screen. The good news is that you can still lock messages if you know the recipient's Lock or shared Key, verify signatures, and use the Locks stored in your local directory as well as all the auxiliary functions of PassLok. You can even make signatures and display the matching Lock if you enter a Key when PassLok asks for it.

The bad news is that you cannot change anything stored in the local directory, and your use of it is limited to Locks. You cannot do anything that would involve your old Key, such as unlocking messages locked with your old Lock, or continuing a PFS conversation in course.

Well, we've got even worse news for you: we cannot help you to recover your old Key, because PassLok never stored it or sent it out. There are no hints, either. If you forgot your Key, it's gone, along with all encrypted items in the local directory. This includes the random token, if you used one.

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Hopefully the limited access mode will let you get by until you remember your old Key. But if you want to get full access to PassLok with a new Key, here are the steps:

1. Go to the Options tab.

2. Click the Backup/Remove Options only box. When a popup asks for confirmation to delete your settings, click OK.

3. Reload PassLok.

4. The user selection screen will appear, and this time PassLok will accept whatever new Key and email or suchlike you want to give it for the user in question. Now you're back in business and can use PassLok with the new Key to sign, unlock, store items in the local directory, etc.

At this point, the only directory entry that will work fully is 'myself'. You can reset or delete the entries that don't work one by one, by typing each name in the directory Edit dialog and clicking Reset (leave essential data intact) or Delete (take out everything) when the name is recognized, or all at once by following the process described in a help item below, about "moving the entire local directory."

Use a different Key temporarily

For a given user name, there is only one "secret Key" that unlocks all the capabilities of PassLok, but if you are willing to accept a limited access to its functions, you can use a different Key for the session, or whenever PassLok asks you for the Key. This way:

1. Select the user and enter the new Key in the box (optional).

2. Click the Cancel button.

3. If asked for your email etc., enter it and click OK. (the Random button will write a new random value, different from the original random token, if any, so beware)

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You can do pretty much everything, except things that would have involved the permanent secret Key. You cannot modify anything in the local directory. When you reload PassLok and enter the correct Key, a warning will tell you that last session was run with limited access. If you don't select a user from the list, you won't have access to any stored Locks.

Make PassLok remember the secret Key for the current session

First, you must be aware that retaining the Key anywhere could lead to compromising it. This is why PassLok's default behavior is to forget the Key if it doesn't get used for five minutes. Still, you can make PassLok remember the Key for the current session by just checking the Remember checkbox when you enter your Key.

If you asked PassLok to remember your Key, make sure to close the app completely when you're done. On a mobile device, this may involve removing the app in the switcher screen.

There is no way to make PassLok remember your Key after it reloads.

Make PassLok even more secure

When you first opened PassLok, you were asked to optionally enter your email or similar public, easy to recall personal information. But if instead of entering your email you click the Random button next to the input box, an 86-character random token is used. This makes your Lock impossible to crack even if your Key is weak, but it becomes tied to the device where it was created (except for the Chrome app, which syncs it across devices).

To back up your random token to a safe place in case of accidental deletion or to be able to use a different device:

1. Click the Backup/Remove Options only button on the Options tab (visible in the Advanced interface). A backup item bracketed by "PL**bak" tags appears on the main box, from where you can save it to file, copy it, email it, etc.

2. Then a dialog asks you if you want to reset your settings. If you click OK, PassLok will restart as if it had never started before, except that the local directory remains intact.

To restore the random token from a backup item, just paste the packup into the main box and click Lock/Unlock.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DjhIjU_nuM

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The reason for the email or other additional data is to combat the "rainbow table" attack, where hackers pre-compute Locks made from the words in a dictionary. This data is encrypted and stored along with other settings, so you won't need to enter it again. The Lock depends both on the Key and the email or random token; this adds extra security, but it also means that if the random token gets erased you will not be able to unlock anything that was locked with your Lock. The backup item contains your settings, including the random token, double-encrypted by your secret Key. One reason to delete your settings while leaving the local directory intact is to be able to change the random token to a new value. You can also proceed without entering any email or token.

Display the Lock matching your secret Key

Click the myLock button on the Main tab. The lock matching that Key will appear in the lower box, from where you can copy it or email it.

If then you click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and click the button labeled General Directory, PassLok's General Directory website will open, with its lower box filled with the Lock you just made. To post your Lock so others can find it, just write your email in the upper box and click the Post button.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L00yybDzN6k

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By default, PassLok displays the Lock in ezLok format, consisting only of smallcase letters (except the L) and numbers, so it is easier to authenticate by reading aloud a portion of it. To display it in base64 format, which is the format of all other PassLok items, go to the Options tab and uncheck ezLok. The General Directory can take ezLok Locks as well as base64 Locks.

Like most other PassLok-generated items, Locks will correct themselves from errors if their tags are intact, but you can make PassLok omit the tags by first checking no Tags in the Options tab. If you are going to send your Lock by a very noisy channel, you may want to send three copies so PassLok can select the best automatically. You will get triple copies of any item by first checking Triple in the Options tab.

If you need to make a Lock for a different Key (for instance, in order to receive Decoy mode hidden messages), it is best if you start PassLok with limited access, by clicking Cancel when you first enter the Key, which will make PassLok accept a different Key. Then click myLock and supply your email, if requested.

Lock a message with a Lock, to be unlocked with the matching Key (Anonymous mode)

1. If the recipients' Locks have been previously stored in the local directory, simply select their names in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and paste the Locks, one per line, in the lower box of the dialog that appears. Then click Done.

2. Write or paste your message in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The locked message will appear in the box, replacing the original message.

Copy it and paste it into your communications program or click Email to open your default email.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBA5JNY4gmQ

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This mode is called Anonymous not because it provides any protection against tracking over a network, but because the identity of the sender cannot be deduced from the encrypted message. This message can be unlocked only by someone having the Key matching one of the Locks selected. Alternatively, you can retrieve a stored Lock by beginning to type the name associated with it in the top box of the directory Edit dialog, until the encrypted Lock appears in the lower box. You can also write the names, one per line, in the lower box. It is okay if the tags up to the "=" signs on the Lock are missing, or extra spaces, carriage returns, or special characters other than = + or / have been added (such as a video URL). If a Lock loses its tags as you enter it, this means that PassLok has recognized it and is cleaning it up for use.

Unlock an Anonymous locked message (tags are PL**msa)

1. Paste the locked message in the lower box of the Main tab.

2. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The unlocked message will appear in the box, replacing the locked message.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBA5JNY4gmQ

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It is okay if the message is broken up by spaces, carriage returns, and special characters other than = + / or % or is missing its tags.

Send a PassLok item (Lock, message, etc.) by email

1. Check that the item is displayed on the Main tab.

2. Click the Email button. If the device is so configured, a window appears containing the item and some explanatory text. You only need to supply the recipient's email address and a subject line before clicking the Send button.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsljKvjAi9I

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If you do not want any explanatory text accompanying the email, check the No tags checkbox in the Options tab before clicking Email. This procedure only works for sending emails, not for receiving them. If you receive a PassLok-locked message, you must copy it to the clipboard and then paste it into the Main tab of PassLok, so it can be unlocked. Be also aware that webmail services, such as Gmail, limit the length of messages that can be composed this way. If you get an error from the mail host, you can always copy the contents of the box and paste it into a normal mail compose screen.

Load a file to be locked, signed, or split (non-mobile)

1. Click the file load button on the Main tab. Different browsers put different labels on it, such as "Browse", "Choose File", and so forth.

2. A dialog will appear so you can navigate to the file. If all goes well, the file or image loads into the box as a piece of gibberish text, with some identifying information at the top.

Now you can lock it, sign it, or split it like a regular piece of text. The process to retrieve the original file is explained in the help item below.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ifIkdredqk

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Most mobile devices restrict the user to images stored in the device or acquired with the built-in camera, so this command is of limited usefulness and is removed. Be aware that pictures taken by the camera are usually too large for PassLok to handle. If the file is a text file, it will load as plain text rather than encoded.

Retrieve a file from encoded text (non-mobile)

1. Make sure the encoded file, which presumably has been obtained by unlocking or merging parts, is on the Main tab.

2. Click the Save file button at the bottom of the screen.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ifIkdredqk

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Chrome and Firefox will save the file, using the original name if not already taken by another file, into the default download location. Safari does the same, but gives it a generic name that you will have to edit later. Internet Explorer doesn't do anything.

Make an invitation to join a real-time multi-party chat session

1. Select the other participants in the chat on the list at the top of the Main tab. You are automatically added.

2. Click the Chat button. A dialog will appear asking you whether this chat is going to involve text and files only, or also will involve audio, or even video. There is also a text box where you can optionally type something that will be shown to the users (such as the date and time for the chat) before they join the chat, and another box where you can supply a nondescript name for your chat room (otherwise PassLok will generate a name).

3. Supply the required information and click OK. If the main box did not contain a chat invitation, a new one is generated and placed there. You can now email it with the Email button, or send it out by any other means.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=XytUN0T_2zQ

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Please tell participants about the time for the chat. When the time comes, you will join the chat using the same invitation as the other parties, so make sure to save it somewhere. All browsers can make a chat invitation, but some (Internet Explorer, Safari, native Android app, anything on iOS) don't support joining the actual chat.

Use an invitation to join a real-time chat session (tags are PL**chat)

1. Place the invitation in the Main box and click the Chat or the Lock/Unlock button. If the sender added a message, it will be displayed and you will have to click OK to go on, or Cancel to try later.

2. A new screen opens. Write the name you want to use for the chat in the top box, and then click Start or Join (depending on whether or not you are the first to arrive at the virtual chat room).

3. As participants join the chat session, their chosen names will appear at the top of the chat screen (or a randomly-chosen tag, if they didn't supply a name). You can then post text by writing it in the Text box, followed by Enter. You can also post files by clicking the Browse or Files button.

4. If the chat involves audio or video, you may be asked to give permission to access you microphone and camera. After you grant it, you will see or hear the other participants as they join, and likely yourself too.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=XytUN0T_2zQ

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Connections between participants are direct, but a signaling server is used so the participants can find one another. PassLok will remind you that this may lead to your being tracked. After the chat has started, you can go back to PassLok and do other things, then return to the chat by clicking the Chat button. The connection will stay alive until you reload PassLok or the other participants leave. If things get out of hand, you can always reset your session with the Reset Chat button. Browsers are not equal as far as support for chat: Firefox is best, followed by Chrome and the Android browser, Maxthon, and then Opera (with problems). Internet Explorer, Tor, Safari, and anything on iOS don't support joining a chat, though you can make a chat invitation from them.

Lock a message with a Lock, to be unlocked with the matching Key, and sign it with your secret Key (Signed mode)

1. On the Options tab, make sure the Signed button is selected.

2. If the recipients' Locks have been previously stored in the local directory, simply select their names in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and paste the Locks, one per line, in the lower box of the dialog that appears. Then click Done.

3. Write or paste your message in the lower box of the Main tab.

4. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The locked message will appear in the box, replacing the original message.

Copy it and paste it into your communications program or click Email to open your default email.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9UanENF3ro

Click here for More:

This mode is called Signed not because a digital signature is involved, but because the message can be unlocked only by someone having the Key matching one of the Locks selected, and your Lock. Alternatively, you can retrieve a stored Lock by beginning to type the name associated with it in the top box of the directory Edit dialog, until the encrypted Lock appears in the lower box. You can also write the names, one per line, in the lower box. It is okay to strip the tags up to the "=" sign, but not recommended. PassLok will do this automatically if the No tags checkbox is checked prior to locking. It is also okay to split the locked message with spaces, line returns, and punctuation other than = + / or % This message can be unlocked only by someone having the Key matching the Lock used to lock it. Additionally, they must have your Lock in order to verify that it comes from you.

Unlock a Signed message (tags are PL**mss)

1. If the sender's Lock has been previously stored in the local directory, simply select its name in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and paste the sender's Lock in the lower box of the dialog that appears. Then click Done.

2. Paste the locked message in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The unlocked message will replace the locked message.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9UanENF3ro

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Alternatively, you can retrieve the sender's stored Lock by typing the name associated with it in the top box of the directory Edit dialog until the encrypted Lock appears on the lower box. It is okay if the message is broken up by spaces, carriage returns, and special characters other than = + / or % or is missing its tags.

Lock a message with a shared Key, to be unlocked with the same Key

1. If the Keys shared with each of the recipients have been previously stored in the local directory, simply select their names in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and paste the shared Keys, one per line, in the lower box of the dialog that appears. You can mix shared Keys and Locks. Then click Done.

2. Write or paste the message in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The locked message will appear in the box, replacing the original text.

Copy it and paste it into your communications program or click Email to open your default email program.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRdpWe4zya8

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This message can be unlocked only by someone having the same shared Key. It does not matter which of the radio buttons in the Options tab is selected, since they do not apply to this mode. Alternatively, you can search for a stored shared Key by typing the name associated with it in the top box of the directory Edit dialog. When you type "Enter", the stored Key is decrypted for you to see.It is okay to strip the tags up to the "=" sign, but not recommended; PassLok will do this automatically if the No tags checkbox is checked prior to locking. It is also okay to split the locked message with spaces, line returns, and punctuation other than = + / or % The tags will depend on the type of locking selected for using Locks. There is no special tag to indicate that a shared Key was used instead of a Lock.

Unlock a message locked with a shared Key

1. If the Key shared with the sender has been previously stored in the local directory, simply select its name in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and paste the shared Key in the lower box of the dialog that appears. Then click Done.

2. Paste the locked message in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The unlocked message will appear in the main box, replacing the locked message.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRdpWe4zya8

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It is okay if the message is broken up by spaces, carriage returns, and special characters other than = + / or % or is missing its tags.

Make a short locked message suitable for texting

1. On the Options tab, check the Short checkbox. Also make sure the appropriate locking mode is selected with the radio buttons.

2. If the recipient's Lock of shared Key has been previously stored in the local directory, simply select its name in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box and paste the Lock in the lower box of the dialog that appears. Then click Done.

3. Write or paste your message into the lower box of the Main tab.

4. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The locked message will appear in the box, replacing the original message.

Copy it and paste it into your communications program.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD-uvyxKBgQ

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The locked message, which has no tags, will fit within one SMS message (160 characters). The radio buttons don't matter if the message is being locked with a shared Key. A message above the main box will tell you how much space is left, depending on the locking mode selected. On a mobile device, the locked message will be selected and ready to be copied into the clipboard. You need to copy it manually before clicking the Text/Img button, which will open your texting app. Message length is limited to 58 ASCII characters when locking with a shared Key or in signed mode, 38 in anonymous mode, 37 in PFS mode. Non-ASCII characters use 6 spaces each, so avoid them if you can. Any text beyond the limit will be lost.

Unlock a short locked message (no tags)

1. If the message was locked in Signed or PFS mode, or with a shared Key, you will need to select the appropriate item in the top box of the Main tab, or enter it in the directory Edit dialog, as described above.

2. Paste the locked message in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The unlocked message will appear in the box, replacing the locked message.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD-uvyxKBgQ

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It is okay if the message is broken up by spaces, carriage returns, and special characters. If the message was locked in PFS mode, you can unlock it only once, since this action erases the Key needed to unlock it.

Add a Lock to the local directory

From the Main tab:

1. Paste the Lock into the Main box. If the item is identified as a Lock, a prompt will ask you to give it a name.

2. Write a name in the prompt box and click OK. You will see the name added to the selection box at the top of the Main tab.

From the directory Edit dialog:

1. Cick the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

2. Write a name for the Lock (or whatever you want to save) in the top box of the dialog that appears.

Note, if a lock is displayed in the lower box, it means the name you entered is already in the local directory.

3. Paste the Lock in the lower box, replacing whatever was there before. If the Lock loses its tags as you enter it, this means that PassLok has recognized it and is cleaning it up before storage.

4. Click the Save button. A message confirms that the Lock has been saved under the name given.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQrED7eIkLA

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if the given name is already in the directory, the Lock will be replaced rather than added. Locks are stored unencrypted by default, but this can be changed by clicking encr. Locks in the Options tab. From the directory Edit dialog, you can store a number of things besides somebody's Lock: a shared Key, a cover text, a List. In the case of a List, the given name will be bracketed by double dashes. Items that are not Locks are always stored encrypted. (Chrome app only) The item will also be added to the Chrome sync area, so it is available on a different computer after you log into Chrome.

Retrieve a Lock from the local directory

1. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

2. Start writing the name of the Lock in the top box of the dialog that appears. As you type, the line above the box displays existing names that match what you have typed so far, and the Lock appears in the lower box.

If the first character in the lower box is '~', the item is encrypted. PassLok can use the Lock in encrypted form, but if you want to see the decrypted version, press the Enter key after the name appears on the upper line.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQrED7eIkLA

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You can stop typing once you see the complete name for the Lock you're looking for. The process also works for shared Keys, Lists, and cover texts stored in the local directory. Search is case-insensitive, so if the item does not appear, this probably means that the name is wrong. If the item is a cover text, it loads automatically as new cover text.(Chrome app only) If you type "Enter" after a name that was not found on the local database, PassLok will look for it in its Chrome sync area, which syncs across computers, and then adds it to the local directory.

Delete a stored Lock

1. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

1. Start writing the name of the Lock in the top box of the dialog that appears. As you type, the line above the box displays existing names that match what you have typed so far, and the encrypted Lock appears in the lower box.

2. Click the Delete button. A message confirms that the Lock has been deleted from the local directory.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQrED7eIkLA

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You can stop typing once you see the complete name for the Lock you are looking for. This process also works for shared Keys, Lists, and cover texts stored in the local directory. Search is case-insensitive, so if the Lock does not appear, that probably means the name is wrong. (Chrome app only) If the Chrome sync area is accessible from the computer, the item will also be deleted from there, after a confirmation popup.

Make a video to authenticate your Lock

What should the video include:

Identify yourself (First and Last name or other).
Write your Lock on a sign and display it, and read a portion of it out loud (say, the first 12 characters after the initial tag).
Make sure to distinguish capitals from smallcase letters.
The video should be short, only a few seconds long (short video).
Play a song in the background to ensure the video is not tampered with (recommended).

What to do with the video:

Upload the video to the Web.
Post the video in the General Directory on the line immediately below your Lock.
For more instructions on this, go to “How to add an authentication video” under the General Directory help.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkcqEz3UjnM

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It is highly recommended that you make a video whenever you change your secret Key, so that others can be assured that the matching Lock really belongs to you. When you post your Lock so that people can use it to lock messages for you, write the address of the video on the line immediately below the Lock, to facilitate the verifying process. Video URLs don't affect the function of Locks, so it is OK to handle the Lock and its video address as a unit.

Authenticate a Lock without using videos

The easy way: call the Lock's owner and ask him/her to read a substantial portion of the Lock over the phone. But let's say you cannot establish a live conversation. If you are communicating exclusively by email, you can send a person whom you know and who knows you the following message, or something like it:

Dear So-and-So:
I just obtained your PassLok Lock from (cite source), but I still wonder if it is authentic since I am unable to view the authenticating video. Therefore, I ask you to help me authenticate it through the interlock protocol. Here's what I want you to do:

Write a message asking me to take a picture or video of myself doing something of your choice. Lock the message with my Lock, which is appended to this message, and copy it to a safe place. Then split it in two and send me the first half only.
When I receive your first half, I will also write a message asking you to do something in a picture or short video. I'll lock that message with your Lock, and I'll send you half of the locked message first. When you get it, go ahead and send me the other half of your locked message.
When I get your second half, I'll put together the two halves together and unlock your message. Then, following your instructions I'll send you the picture or video right away, unlocked, along with the second half of my locked request.
When you get it, please verify that what I sent conforms to your instructions. If so, put together the two halves of my locked message to you, unlock it, and send me what I ask in the message as soon as possible, unlocked as well. Then I'll know that your Lock is authentic.

Many thanks. Sincerely, This-and-That

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Alternatively, you can ask the other person to use PassLok's built-in Split/Join function, explained in another help item, rather than simply cutting messages in two. The pictures or videos (or recordings) don't need to be locked. Only the instructions for making them need to be locked and transmitted with this two-step process. There is an article in the PassLok manual that explains how this protocol works for authenticating Locks.

Use the General Directory

The General Directory is a Web page that can store Locks and authentication videos associated with email addresses.

To get to the General Directory: Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box, Then click the General Directory button.

If you are showing your Lock on the Main tab, it gets copied to the General Directory, ready for you to write your email address and click Post.
Once you have found a Lock on the general directory, it gets copied automatically to the lower box of the directory Edit dialog, so you only need to give it a name and click Save

The General Directory has its own Help page, which is structured like this one.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQQ2df2vPgs

Click here for More:

PassLok does not guarantee the authenticity of the Locks posted on its General Directory. Email confirmation is required to post or update Locks, but this is not completely secure. Since users are encouraged to add authenticating videos and the General Directory has a button to play them, you should watch the video attached to a Lock before you use it.

The General Directory is meant as a convenience, not as a replacement for your local directory. The General Directory is not available when you are offline (the local one is). You cannot post anything but Locks on the General Directory. Be aware that opening the General Directory involves contacting a server, which may lead to being tracked.

Save the contents of the Main box to a file

1. On the Options tab, click the Save button.

2. A prompt asks for a name for the file. Type a name (default extension is .txt) and click OK. The file is saved to your default downloads folder.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ifIkdredqk

Click here for More:

Many mobile devices, unless they are jailbroken or rooted, restrict the user to saving images, so this process won't work.

Lock a second, undetectable message in addition to the main message (Decoy mode)

1. On the Options tab, check the Decoy checkbox.

2. Follow the above instructions for any kind of locking. This also works when adding a signature. A popup will ask for a hidden message and a Decoy Key/Lock to lock it.

3. Input the hidden message into the top box and the Decoy shared Key or Lock (either kind will work) in the bottom box. Then click OK.

The locked message containing both the main text and the hidden text will appear in the main box, replacing the original text. If it is a signature, it will be appended to the text. Copy it and paste it into your communications program.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WrYEdRp2Q4

Click here for More:

It is impossible to tell whether or not a locked message contains a hidden message. The length of the hidden message is limited to 152 ASCII characters in key-locked and signed modes, 87 characters in anonymous and PFS modes, 37 characters in short message mode (key-locked or signed only), 40 characters in signatures. Non-ASCII characters use 6 spaces each, so avoid them if you can. Any text beyond the limit will be lost. As with regular locked messages, it is okay to strip the tags up to the "=" sign, but not recommended. It is also okay to split the locked message with spaces, line returns, and punctuation other than = + / or %. If a shared Key is used for the second message, the same shared Key is needed to retrieve it; if a Lock was used, its matching Key will be needed.

Reveal the hidden text contained within a message locked in Decoy mode

1. On the Options tab, check the Decoy checkbox.

2. Follow the instructions for any of the unlocking modes. A popup will ask for a Decoy Key.

3. Input the Decoy Key. If it is a shared Key, leave the Shared box checked; if it is a secret Key, matching the Lock that was used to lock the hidden message, uncheck the Shared box.

4. Then click OK. The hidden message, if it exists, will appear above the main box.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WrYEdRp2Q4

Click here for More:

Since it is impossible to detect the presence of a hidden message, it is necessary to click the Decoy checkbox in order to check for it. In the case of signatures, the hidden message appears in the place normally used by the verification message, so if you still wish to verify the signature, you need to uncheck Decoy and click Sign/Verify again so the signature verification message is displayed. There is no way to tell whether the sender used a Key or a Lock for locking the hidden message, so the recipient must tell PassLok by checking or unchecking the Shared box.

Add, remove, and backup users

To add a new user:

1. Reload PassLok. Then click the New User button next to the user selection box.

To backup and optionally remove an existing user (advanced):

1. While you are logged in with that user's Key, go to the Options tab and click the Backup/Remove Whole Directory button (visible in the Advanced interface).

2. Then a prompt asks you to confirm deleting the directory from the device. If you click OK, the entire local directory for that user is deleted, leaving no traces. If you click Cancel, the process ends and the directory contents are not deleted. In both cases the backup on the Main tab remains.

3. To retrieve a backed-up directory (has PL**dir tags), place it in the Main tab and click Lock/Unlock. The database will be unlocked and placed in the directory Edit dialog. Then you can add it to the device's current local directory by clicking Merge.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zo-N5O82iM

Click here for More:

You can maintain multiple identities, using different Keys, thanks to this feature. The packup process is useful whenever you stop using a device or just want to transfer your data to another device. (Chrome app only) Even if the local directory is completely deleted, the items in your Chrome sync area remain available if you click Cancel when PassLok offers to remove them from sync as well. They load back automatically if you set up a user with the same user name.

Access the advanced functions of PassLok

PassLok launches first in Basic mode, so you are able to lock and unlock messages and perform the essential Key and Lock management functions. But PassLok has a lot more capabilities, which become available when you click the Advanced checkbox in the Options tab. To get back to Basic mode, click the Basic checkbox. PassLok will remember your choice of interface next time you open it.

Some advanced capabilities include:

Apply a digital signature to a text, and verify its authenticity.
Lock messages so they can be unlocked only once.
Hide PassLok's random-looking output inside images or as apparently normal text.
Further protect items against accidental corruption.
Change the user name, the Key, or the email.
Backup or erase user settings, or even the entire directory.

This and mode is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttyvb0Qt7h0

Are there any keyboard shortcuts?

The main functions in PassLok can be accessed directly from the keyboard. The button tooltips tell you what the shortcut is for each button that has a shortcut, but below is a complete list, just in case:

Alt-M: Main tab

Alt-D: Directory Edit dialog

Alt-H: Help tab

Alt-O: Options tab

Alt-G: General Lock directory open and close

Alt- . (period): extra buttons open and close

Alt-L: Lock or unlock

Alt-V: sign or Verify

Alt-E: send Email

Alt-C: start or join Chat

Alt-B: switch Basic and Advanced modes

Alt-A: set Anonymous mode

Alt-N: set sigNed mode

Alt-P: set PFS mode

Alt-T: set shorT mode

Alt-Y: set decoY mode

Alt-I: Image screen open and close

Alt-J: split or Join

Alt-C: display or change Cover text

Alt-W: hide as Words, or unhide

Alt-S: hide as Spaces, or unhide

Alt- ; (semicolon): put cursor on main box

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The list is made for access from Windows or Linux, so that each shortcut is of the form Alt-letter. If you are using a Mac, you should type ctrl-alt-letter instead. Shortcuts do not work on mobile devices.

Check the authenticity of the code

If you got PassLok from an app store, that app store is ensuring that the code you have is what the author gave to them. The following is to check the integrity of an html version of PassLok running in a browser:

1. Direct your browser to "view source." If your browser has a command to save the source (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari do), go ahead and save it to file.

2. Now you have to take the SHA256 of the code using a program different from PassLok. You have several options:

Use a local program or online utility to take the SHA256 of the source saved to a file.
Use an online utility where you paste the text on a box and click a button. You must make sure that pasting does not add extra space at the top or the bottom of the file, which would affect the result.

3. Look up the SHA256 for this version of PassLok, which is published on the PassLok information website at passlok.weebly.com and a number of other places. If this value and the one obtained in step 2 are not the same, the program has been tampered with.

4. Now, a hacker who could alter the source code at the server might also be able to change the published SHA256 so it matches the tampered code. To make sure that the value is authentic you should watch the one-minute video where the author or PassLok, Francisco Ruiz, reads it aloud. A link to the video usually accompanies the published SHA256 value.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAfSo2xjnY

Click here for More:

Typically, you load the source on a separate tab by typing CTRL-U (Windows) or option-cmd-u (OSX). Another way to save the source is to copy it by first selecting the the whole source code (CTRL-A or cmd-a), then copy to clipboard (CTRL-C or cmd-c), and then paste it into a text editor (CTRL-V or cmd-v), and save it from there. DO NOT save the code using the "save" command when the working PassLok page is displayed, since then the browser would modify the source code before saving it. The correct encoding is UTF-8, no BOM (notes: Windows Notepad is unable to save text in the correct format. Cut and paste from Chrome introduces artifacts for big items like the source code).

SHA256 is built into the OS in Linux and OSX, not so in Windows, but there are free programs available, such as Checksum Utility and Bitser. There are also online utilities where you can upload the file and get the hash. Online-convert (http://hash.online-convert.com/sha256-generator), fileformat.info (http://www.fileformat.info/tool/hash.htm) and freeformatter.com (http://www.freeformatter.com/sha256-generator.html) have worked well in our tests.

If you want a clipboard-based SHA256 utility, the one at Xorbin (http://www.xorbin.com/tools/sha256-hash-calculator) has worked quite well in our tests. Don't copy and paste from Chrome, since it introduces artifacts.

Further protect a Lock, locked message, signature, or part from accidental errors (advanced)

PassLok includes an error correction code as part of the tags attached to most items. It is located right before the end label. Character changes introduced in transmission will be corrected automatically, so long as the tags are present. But character deletions and additions make the error-correction process fail. If this happens to an item you have received, try it again without its tags.

If you foresee that the item may pick up a lot of errors during transmission, including deletions and additions, send three copies of it, separated by two @ signs between them. PassLok will reconstruct the undamaged original out of a damaged triple copy automatically. PassLok will make the triple copies for you if you check Triple in the Options tab (visible in the Advanced interface) before generating the item.

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PassLok uses the Reed-Solomon algorithm to correct automatically up to 10 errors per 245-character block. If the item is short, the code at the end of the item, which is offset by "=" signs on either end, will be 20 characters long. The codes attached to longer items are a multiple of 20 characters long. If three copies are present, PassLok will accept each character as good if it is found in two of the copies.

Send a PassLok item by Text messaging (mobile only) (advanced)

1. Check that the item to be sent is displayed on the Main tab.

2. Tap the Select button so the text can be selected.

3. Then tap the Copy label as it appears on screen. The item is copied to clipboard.

4. Tap the ▼ button in order to reveal the button dealing with text messaging, which is labeled SMS, and tap it. A window appears with the default texting app.

5. Tap the input box and then paste the clipboard. Send the message in the usual way.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsljKvjAi9I

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To unlock a locked message received by texting, you must first copy it to the clipboard, and then paste it on the Main tab of PassLok. If you use Short mode to lock a message, steps 2 and 3 are automatic.

Sign a text with your secret Key (advanced)

1. Write or paste the text to be signed in the lower box of the Main tab.

2. Click the Sign/Verify button. A signature matching the text and your Key will be appended at the end of the text. Copy it or email it from there.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvv1SJGh94

Click here for More:

It is okay to strip the tags up to the "=" sign, but not recommended. PassLok will do this automatically if the No tags checkbox is checked prior to locking. It is also okay to split the signature with spaces, and punctuation other than line returns or = + or /.

Verify a signature attached to a text (signature tags are PL**sig) (advanced)

1. If the signer's Lock has been previously stored in the local directory, simply select its name in the top box of the Main tab.

If not, click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box, then paste the Lock in the lower box that appears and click Done.

2. Paste the text, with its signature appended on a separate line at the end, in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Sign/Verify button. A message above the main box will say whether or not the signature for that text has been verified.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZvv1SJGh94

Click here for More:

It is okay if the signer's Lock is missing its tags up to the "=" signs , or extra spaces, carriage returns, or special characters other than = + or / have been added. This also goes for the signature, except that it should not be broken by carriage returns.

Authenticate the participants in a Chat session (advanced)

To ask others to authenticate themselves (especially right after they join):

1. Inside the chat session, type a bunch of garbage. You should expect a signature for that bunch of garbage to be posted by each of them after a short time.

2. When a signature is posted in the chat session, copy it, along with the original garbage you (or someone else) typed, and go back to the Main tab of PassLok, then paste it there.

3. Since the pasted text likely will have some formatting, remove it before you go ahead (select the entire text, click Rich to see the formatting buttons, then click the broom button).

4. In the local directory, select the Lock belonging to the person who posted the signature. Then edit out the poster's tagname if it was also pasted, and click the Sign/Verify button. For best results, make sure there is a blank line between the string and the signature.

5. If the signature is verified, this means that the one who posted it is indeed who he/she claims to be.

To respond to a request for authentication, posted in the chat session:

1. If you see a piece of garbage text posted by someone (especially if you have just joined), that means that anyone who has not yet authenticated him/herself is asked to do so. Copy the garbage text and go back to the Main tab of PassLok, then paste it there.

2. Since the pasted text likely will have some formatting, remove it before you go ahead (select the entire text, click Rich to see the formatting buttons, then click the broom button).

3. Click the Sign/Verify button. A signature will appear two lines below the text.

4. Copy the whole thing and go back to the chat session by clicking the Chat button, then paste it into the chat box and submit it.

This is all explained in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlEJJpF-Wmo

Click here for More:

This process assumes that the Locks in your local directory have been authenticated, perhaps by following the process explained elsewhere in the help area. Sometimes a valid signature will fail to verify if invisible characters have been introduced; this is usually solved by adding extra space betwen the text and the signature. If asking others to authenticate themselves, it is important to ensure that the text they are asked to sign could not have been predicted ahead of time.

If there is no Lock for a participant, but rather a shared Key, he/she should instead lock the garbage text with that shared Key and post the result; authentication will be complete once the locked text can be unlocked with the shared Key and the result matches the original.

Lock a message so that nobody can read it after the exchange is over (PFS and Read-once modes) (advanced)

1. On the Options tab, make sure the PFS or the Read-once button is selected.

In PFS mode, messages can no longer be unlocked after the next message is received from the same sender.
In Read-once mode, messages can be unlocked only once, even if no more messages are received.

2. Select the recipients' Locks in the top box of the Main tab. These modes require the recipients' Locks to be previously stored in the local directory.

3. Write or paste your message in the lower box of the Main tab.

4. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The locked message will appear in the box, replacing the original message.

Copy it and paste it into your communications program or click Mail to open your default email.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutWfWZW5bY

Click here for More:

This message can be unlocked only by someone having the Key matching one of the Locks selected, and your Lock. PFS and Read-once modes are not available for short messages. If you are restarting a PFS or Read-once conversation that was interrupted, you must first clear the old PFS data for that recipient by clicking the Reset button in the directory Edit dialog (visible in the Advanced interface) after the recipient's name is displayed above the upper box. In Read-once mode, once a message is locked, the sender is not allowed to lock another message for the same recipient in the same mode, since this would corrupt the exchange. This restriction does not apply to PFS mode. It is okay to strip the Lock tags up to the "=" sign, but not recommended. PassLok will do this automatically if the No tags checkbox is checked prior to locking. It is also okay to split the locked message with spaces, line returns, and punctuation other than = + / or %

Unlock a message that was locked in PFS mode (tags are PLmsp) or Read-once mode (tags are PLmso) (advanced)

1. Select the sender's Lock on the top box of the Main tab. This mode requires the sender's Lock to be previously stored in the device's local directory.

2. Paste the locked message in the lower box of the Main tab.

3. Click the Lock/Unlock button. The unlocked message will replace the locked message.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutWfWZW5bY

Click here for More:

If the message was locked in Read-once mode, you can unlock it only once, since the ephemeral key needed to unlock it is overwritten in the process. This restriction does not apply to PFS messages. It is okay if the message is broken up by spaces, carriage returns, and special characters other than = + / or % or is missing its tags.

Change your secret Key (advanced)

1. Click the Change Key button on the Options tab. A new dialog will pop up asking you to enter the new Key twice.

2. Write the new Key in the two boxes in this dialog, and then click OK. A message will announce that the Key has changed.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LubzBF4Xaa8

Click here for More:

The items in the local directory are encrypted with your Key; this operation re-encrypts them with the new Key. Your Key is not stored anywhere, not even encrypted, but PassLok is still able to check whether the Key entered is the one in use.

Reset the hidden information pertaining to a stored item (PFS, etc.) (advanced)

1. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

2. Start writing the name of the item in the top box of the dialog. As you type, the line above the box displays existing items matching what you have typed so far, and the encrypted item appears in the lower box. You can stop typing once you see the complete name for the item you're looking for. Search is case-insensitive.

3. Click the Reset button. A message confirms that the PFS data for the item has been deleted. You must reset the data pertaining to the other party whenever a PFS conversation has gone out of sync so the PFS process can be restarted.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutWfWZW5bY

Display the entire local directory (advanced)

1. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

2. Click the All button below the lower box of dialog. The complete local directory, including PFS and hidden data, is displayed in the box so you can find items and copy them easily.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zo-N5O82iM

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The format for each item is the following: name, followed by a colon (:), new line, item data; then two new lines before the next name, and so forth. If a name also has hidden data and PFS data, those follow the item data, occupying consecutive lines. Item 'myself' is special, and contains the Lock matching your secret Key and a collection of settings.

Merge additional data into the local directory (advanced)

1. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

2. Paste the additional data into the lower box of the dialog.

3. Click the Merge button. The new data is merged into the local directory.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zo-N5O82iM

Click here for More:

The format for the additional data must be the following: name, followed by a colon (:), new line, item data; then two new lines before the next name, and so forth. If a name also has hidden data and PFS data, those follow the item data, occupying consecutive lines. If the additional data contains names that were already in use in the directory, the new data replaces the original data. Items are added in encrypted form but are not checked as they are added, so it is possible that different items may need different Keys to be decrypted, if you changed your secret Key in the past. (Chrome app only) If the Chrome sync area is accessible from the computer, the additional data will also be added to that area, so it is accessible from other computers.

Use the List button (advanced)

You can always make a List of Locks and shared Keys, in order to lock a message for multiple recipients, by writing the Locks or shared Keys in separate lines of the lower box in the Directory tab. Lists can be given names to save them in the local directory. Saved Lists appear highlighted in the top box of the Main tab. The List button, which appears after clicking the Edit button next to the Lock selection box, facilitates making Lists this way:

1. If you put several items on separate lines in the lower box of the Directory tab and click the List button, PassLok will remember them during the current session.

2. To add one or several items to the List in memory, put them in the box and click List again. Duplicates are removed in the process.

3. If you click List with the box empty, the current List in memory is displayed.

4. If you click the Reset button while a List is displayed in the bottom box, the List in memory is deleted.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Ki9DHTVow

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If you want to store a List permanently, you must first write a name for it in the top box, then write the items in the lower box or display the List in memory by clicking the List button, and then click Save. Lists can contain Locks, shared Keys, or names of items in the local directory, but not names of other Lists.

Make a random Key (advanced)

PassLok has a built-in way to make a 86-character random Key:

1. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box.

2. On the dialog that appears, click Save with the lower box empty.

2. If you actually want to save the random Key, write a name for it in the top box before you click Save.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OUpuk3-tRo

Combine a Key and a Lock (advanced)

This operation, which goes by the technical name of "Diffie-Hellman key exchange," is at the core of many PassLok functions. Should you ever want to compute the result manually, here is how to do it:

1. Write or paste the Key or the Lock on the Main tab.

2. Click the Edit button next to the Lock selection box, and write or paste the other item in the lower box of the dialog that appears. If the item is in PassLok's local directory, you can bring it out by starting to type its name in the top box.

3. Click the Merge button. The Key and the Lock will merge and the 87-character result, which is itself a valid Lock, is placed in both the Main and Directory tabs.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EImhN35Tbs

Click here for More:

If both items or neither of them is a valid Lock, the merging process fails and a message is displayed. The result of combining your secret Key and someone's Lock is the same as that of combining your Lock and that person's secret Key. You can combine a set of Keys into one by first making the Lock of one of them, and then combining the other Keys, one after the other, as described above. The order of entering the Keys does not matter.

Split an item into several random-looking parts (advanced)

1. Put the item in the lower box of the Main tab.

2. Click the ▼ button, if needed, and then click the Split/Join button.

3. A popup asks for the total number of parts to be made, and the minimum number required to retrieve the original. Enter those numbers, which must be between 2 and 255, and click OK. The parts appear in the main box, replacing the original item, and a message confirms it. Copy the parts one by one and send or store them as needed.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVHaD-FpSk

Click here for More:

The parts are enclosed within tags of the PL**p^^^ form, where ^^^ is the minimum number of parts that are needed to reconstruct the original. It is okay to strip the tags of the resulting parts up to the "=" sign, but not recommended. PassLok will do this automatically if the No tags checkbox is checked prior to locking. It is also okay to split the parts with spaces and punctuation other than = + / or line returns.

Join parts to retrieve the original item (tags are PL**p^^^) (advanced)

1. Paste a sufficient number of parts on separate lines of the lower box in the Main tab. Make sure that each part is unique.

2. Click the ▼ button, if needed, and then the Split/Join button. If all goes well, the reconstructed item appears in the box.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVHaD-FpSk

Click here for More:

You need as many parts as the second number entered when the item was split, which is written at the end of each PL**p^^^ tag. Having more parts than the minimum is okay, so long as they belong to the same set and are not corrupt. They don't need to be placed in any particular order. If nothing happens, likely causes include: insufficient number of parts, incomplete or corrupt parts, parts belonging to different sets.

Convert a PassLok item (Lock, message, etc.) into fake text (advanced)

1. Check that the item to be converted into fake text is on the Main tab. Then click the ▼ button, if needed, to show the Text hide button.

2. If you wish to use a cover text different from the default and you have stored it in the local directory, select it on the top box of the Main tab. Otherwise click the Edit button and enter the new cover text in the lower box of the dialog, then return to the Main tab.

3. Make sure the hiding mode you want is the one selected in the Options tab. There are four different methods for doing this: Words, Spaces, Sentences, and Chains. Words replaces each character by a single word. Spaces encodes the characters into the spaces between words. Sentences (default) and Chains encode characters as grammatically correct sentences.

4. If now you click the Text hide button, the PassLok item is converted into text, using words from the cover text.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Fju1EwhV4

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The recipient of a Words- or Chains-encoded text must have the same cover text in order to retrieve the original, but this is not necessary for Spaces- or Sentences-encoded text. The output of Chains, Spaces, and Sentences encoding is roughly seven times longer than that of Words encoding, but it makes more grammatical sense. If the cover text is not long enough, it will be repeated several times. When you use Spaces encoding, you should be careful not to add or delete any spaces within the encoded text, but it is okay to add more text to complete the last sentence, which may contain additional spaces.

Text encoding is no substitute for real encryption, and so PassLok will refuse to convert into fake text anything that does not look like genuine PassLok output.

Cover texts do not have to be in English or even use Latin characters. Anything that can be written in UTF-16 encoded characters can be used (most languages, including Arabic and Chinese, will work fine).

Since the cover text is a (weak) sort of password for a Words- or Chains-encoded item, it may be good to store often-used cover texts in your local directory so they can be loaded easily from the Main tab. To do this, click the Edit button next to the selection box, then write a new name in the upper box of the dialog that appears, paste the cover text in the lower box, and click Save.

Retrieve the original PassLok item from fake text (advanced)

1. Put the fake text on the Main tab.

2. Click the ▼ button, if needed, followed by either the Text hide button. PassLok will detect the type of encoding used and display the original item in the box, replacing the fake text.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Fju1EwhV4

Click here for More:

If the fake text was encoded with the Words or Chains methods using a cover text different from the one that is currently loaded, you will have to load first the appropriate cover text by selecting it on the top box of the Main tab, if stored in the local directory, or entering it into the lower box of the directory Edit dialog, which is accessed via the Edit button.

Hide a PassLok item inside an image (advanced)

1. Make sure the item to be hidden is in the lower box of the Main tab.

2. Click the ▼ button, if needed, and then the Image hide button.

3. A new screen appears where you can load the image where the item is to be hidden. To do so, click the "Choose File" or "Browse" button (browsers vary on the name). A dialog will appear, where you can navigate to the image and open it. A message will tell you how much data you can hide in the image.

4. When you see the image, click the Hide button. A message will say when processing is completed, although the image will not appear to have changed.

5. Right-click or long-press on the image in order to save it or send it somewhere.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iXIyH6AnMI

Click here for More:

Images only a few kB in size can hide PassLok items with hundreds of characters. Images taken with a mobile camera are usually too large for PassLok to be able to use them for hiding items, because of the processing required.

Retrieve the PassLok item hidden inside an image (advanced)

1. Navigate to the image hiding screen from the Main tab by clicking ▼, if needed, and then Image hide.

2. Click Choose File or Browse (browsers vary on this) and open the image containing the hidden item.

3. When the image displays on the screen, click the Reveal button. A message will say when processing is completed and the hidden item has been retrieved, or no hidden item has been found.

4. Click Back to see the item on the Main tab.

This and more is explained in this video tutorial (warning: may leak your IP number): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iXIyH6AnMI

Click here for More:

Retrieval from an image may fail on mobile devices, since they often change images as they are loaded.

What do the other checkboxes in the Options tab do? (advanced)

No Tags: Items made by PassLok, which ordinarily begin and end with special tags, have no tags.

Triple: Items are made in triplicate, with @@ separators between them, to prevent data corruption in very noisy channels.

Small: Output items are displayed in a small font rather than normal font, suitable for quick copy/paste. This is a sticky option.

Encrypted Locks: Locks are stored in the directory in encrypted form, rather than plain. This is a sticky option.

I have an item that was locked/signed with a previous version of PassLok, and the current version cannot handle it

We do not recommend using old versions for new work. Newer versions have enhanced security and are more user-friendly. But sometimes you may need to handle an item that is incompatible with the current version. Here is a pretty complete list of PassLok versions, with links to them.

Current version of PassLok can be obtained from:

source server: https://passlok.com

information page: http://passlok.weebly.com

GitHub page: https://github.com/fruiz500/passlok

Chrome app: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/passlok-privacy/epcchpdljafmfegifkigklfcmkphfmbh

Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fruiz500.passlok

iOS app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/passlok-privacy/id879861603?mt=8&uo=4

mirrors:

https://www.autistici.org/passlok (non-US, self-certified)

https://passlok.site44.com

https://fruiz500.github.io/passlok

SHA256 for this version and video of the author reading it at:

http://passlok.weebly.com/get-passlok.html

Previous versions:

2.0.03 (627e-45e4-0160-c885-b668-896a-7f79-766e-b93c-c6e3-0094-a28f-4380-b060-7830-48d0)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

Author reading the ID

1.7.08 (87a4-fee6-8916-99fb-c59b-9d73-32dd-3023-5af0-3e69-18e0-caa3-d9e7-8a53-2385-957c)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

Author reading the ID

1.6.02 (2c64-63d5-5d68-c7b2-9350-68cc-8bef-1a75-ddc1-1fa0-cd04-4428-f3ef-c079-e14f-4133)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

Author reading the ID

1.5.03 (0061-4b79-8ba1-8fee-34c5-e243-96e9-4c7c-a0ea-cfc5-82c1-a44d-4cbb-06c4-ca00-985c)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

Author reading the ID

The following (except 1.0) were edited so the archived help file works, changing the ID from the original (therefore no video)

1.4.03 (f1cc-8931-1d31-4d65-4dfe-fb0d-5368-f854-3766-b240-f131-c93f-a0e9-8d14-752e-018e)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

1.3.03 (7c6f-3d59-1059-e712-15ea-8dcf-dcde-861a-7359-6508-3b29-5720-41c9-8271-cb69-f01a)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

1.2 (c17b-c529-8757-578a-6bc2-bdc4-122e-c607-8c16-19ef-b9ee-8d4d-75aa-cf0a-b703-e0ec)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

1.1 (8e5c-9714-eec3-cc65-aa8f-640d-d434-2747-aa24-624c-74c5-65ea-4077-0f0f-3b22-cc30)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

1.0 (a907-25eb-50e3-e4a6-5f4b-27c1-684e-f590-6094-6fae-52f3-c7ca-47b1-732c-9eab-3e9b)

PassLok.com

Autistici

Site44

I want to know PassLok in depth. Is there more information?

Another way to learn is to check the Learn box in the Options tab, which will create a popup explaining what is about to happen, every time a button is clicked. If this is not enough for you, here are a couple more sources you may want to check out:

The PassLok manual in PDF form.

The PassLok informational website at http://passlok.weebly.com. It contains a number of videos and more PDF documents.

If you want to learn what's under the hood, read the PassLok technical document.

None of the help items answers my question / I want to give feedback

Then you can send us an email at passlokprivacy@gmail.com (the link will open your email client). We'll do our best to reply in a timely fashion.

Good constructive feedback is hard to get, so let us thank you right now, before we read your email.

Privacy Statement

PassLok provides excellent security, since it is a self-contained piece of code that neither relies on servers nor requires the storage of secret information to do its job. Therefore:

1. We cannot give your secret Key to anyone (not even yourself) because we don't have it. Your Key is never stored or transmitted, and by default gets deleted from memory after five minutes of not being used.

2. We cannot give your private data to anyone because PassLok does not send anything out of your device. When you download the app from its server, you get only the code, without any cookies, plugins, or anything of that sort. We do store Locks that have been posted on our General Directory by their owners, but those are public by nature.

3. We cannot eavesdrop on your chat sessions, or enable anyone to do so. Establishing a chat session does involve contacting a signaling server (Firebase) and giving it some information that others can fetch, but this consists of a chatroom name that is discarded after use; the signaling server never sees the content of your chat, which is between participants only. The PassLok server doesn't even see the connection info. Connecting to a chat also involves a random key that is never transmitted unlocked.

3. We will never weaken the cryptography methods contained within PassLok at the request of a third party, private or public. This also means no backdoors will ever be added. We'd rather shut down PassLok than be forced to do this, which would betray the very essence of our efforts. If we learn that counterfeit versions of PassLok are circulating, whether placed by hackers or government agencies, we'll make the fact known to users.

Notice: Since PassLok is distributed as a piece of human-readable code, we consider it an expression of free speech protected by the laws of many countries. Putting into circulation tampered versions of PassLok violates free speech and copyright protection laws.

PassLok contains strong cryptographic methods, which may be illegal to use in some countries. Please check the local laws before using PassLok.

engine: SJCL by Stark, Hamburg, and Boneh 2014
general directory by W. Huang 2014
Shamir secret sharing by A. Stetsyuk 2013
image hiding: steganography.js by Peter Eigenschink 2014
FastClick by FT Labs 2014
file In/Out based on an article from the This Could Be Better blog. 2012
sjcl-scrypt key stretching implementation by joe-invincible 2013
erc-js Reed-Solomon error correction by cryodex 2014
lz-string compression by pieroxy 2014
webRTC chat by Muaz Khan 2014
markovTextStego.js by Jackson Thuraisamy 2013
testing, help items, interface ideas by the IIT IPRO-379 team 2014

This document may be used, modified or redistributed under GNU GPL license, version 3.0 or higher.

What is PassLok?

Invite others to PassLok

How to make a strong Key

Get a hint to remember my Key

Use a different Key temporarily

Make PassLok remember the secret Key for the current session

Make PassLok even more secure

Display the Lock matching your secret Key

Lock a message with a Lock, to be unlocked with the matching Key (Anonymous mode)

Unlock an Anonymous locked message (tags are PL**msa)

Send a PassLok item (Lock, message, etc.) by email

Load a file to be locked, signed, or split (non-mobile)

Retrieve a file from encoded text (non-mobile)

Make an invitation to join a real-time multi-party chat session

Use an invitation to join a real-time chat session (tags are PL**chat)

Lock a message with a Lock, to be unlocked with the matching Key, and sign it with your secret Key (Signed mode)

Unlock a Signed message (tags are PL**mss)

Lock a message with a shared Key, to be unlocked with the same Key

Unlock a message locked with a shared Key

Make a short locked message suitable for texting

Unlock a short locked message (no tags)

Add a Lock to the local directory

Retrieve a Lock from the local directory

Delete a stored Lock

Make a video to authenticate your Lock

Authenticate a Lock without using videos

Use the General Directory

Save the contents of the Main box to a file

Lock a second, undetectable message in addition to the main message (Decoy mode)

Reveal the hidden text contained within a message locked in Decoy mode

Add, remove, and backup users

Access the advanced functions of PassLok

Are there any keyboard shortcuts?

Check the authenticity of the code

Further protect a Lock, locked message, signature, or part from accidental errors (advanced)

Send a PassLok item by Text messaging (mobile only) (advanced)

Sign a text with your secret Key (advanced)

Verify a signature attached to a text (signature tags are PL**sig) (advanced)

Authenticate the participants in a Chat session (advanced)

Lock a message so that nobody can read it after the exchange is over (PFS and Read-once modes) (advanced)

Unlock a message that was locked in PFS mode (tags are PL**msp) or Read-once mode (tags are PL**mso) (advanced)

Change your secret Key (advanced)

Reset the hidden information pertaining to a stored item (PFS, etc.) (advanced)

Display the entire local directory (advanced)

Merge additional data into the local directory (advanced)

Use the List button (advanced)

Make a random Key (advanced)

Combine a Key and a Lock (advanced)

Split an item into several random-looking parts (advanced)

Join parts to retrieve the original item (tags are PL**p^^^) (advanced)

Convert a PassLok item (Lock, message, etc.) into fake text (advanced)

Retrieve the original PassLok item from fake text (advanced)

Hide a PassLok item inside an image (advanced)

Retrieve the PassLok item hidden inside an image (advanced)

What do the other checkboxes in the Options tab do? (advanced)

I have an item that was locked/signed with a previous version of PassLok, and the current version cannot handle it

I want to know PassLok in depth. Is there more information?

None of the help items answers my question / I want to give feedback

Privacy Statement

Welcome to PassLok

Unlock a message that was locked in PFS mode (tags are PLmsp) or Read-once mode (tags are PLmso) (advanced)