encryption.js

Overview

Encryption.js is a lightweight JavaScript library designed to securely encrypt and decrypt tokens and objects in server-client applications. Its primary goal is to ensure that sensitive data sent from the client can only be decrypted on the server, providing an extra layer of security for web and desktop applications. The library supports both primitive values and complex objects, making it versatile for a variety of use cases.

Key Features

  • End-to-End Security: Encrypt tokens or objects on the client and ensure only the server can decrypt them.
  • Object Support: Seamlessly encrypt and decrypt JavaScript objects, not just strings or numbers.
  • Simple API: Minimal, easy-to-use interface for integrating encryption into any Node.js or browser-based project.
  • Lightweight: No heavy dependencies, making it suitable for both web and desktop environments.
  • NPM Package: Easily installable and updatable via npm (pnpm, yarn, etc.).
  • Crypto.js: Used for encryption and decryption.

Technologies Used

  • JavaScript (ES6+): Core language for both browser and Node.js compatibility.
  • Node.js: For server-side decryption and integration with backend systems.
  • Crypto API: Utilizes modern cryptographic standards for secure encryption and decryption.

Challenges and Learnings

The main challenge was designing an encryption scheme that is both secure and easy to use across different environments (browser and Node.js). Ensuring that objects could be safely serialized and deserialized without data loss or security risks required careful handling of edge cases. Additionally, balancing security with performance and keeping the library lightweight were key considerations throughout development.

Another important learning was the importance of key management. The library is designed so that encryption keys are never exposed to the client, ensuring that only the server can decrypt sensitive data. This required clear documentation and examples to help developers implement secure key handling in their own projects.

Outcome

Encryption.js provides a practical solution for developers who need to securely transmit sensitive data between clients and servers. Its simple API and support for complex objects make it a valuable tool for modern web and desktop applications. The project is open-source and available on npm, encouraging community contributions and ongoing improvements.

Whether you're building a web app that needs to protect user tokens or a desktop application that handles confidential information, Encryption.js offers a straightforward and secure approach to client-server encryption.