Securely Store and Share

Objective

This guide provides instructions on how to install VoltShare to encrypt information prior to sharing it, and decrypt it after receiving it. VoltShare is a tool that allows content to be encrypted on the fly to share with a set of recipients so that only those recipients can decrypt it. For more information on VoltShare, see VoltShare.

There are two input options to encrypt or decrypt information with VoltShare:

  • Drag and drop a file to encrypt or decrypt.

  • Type text directly into VoltShare.

Using the instructions provided in this guide, you can install VoltShare, sign up for an account, encrypt information, decrypt information, and share secrets with a set of users.

Install VoltShare

Step 1: Download VoltShare application.
Step 2: Install VoltShare application.
  • macOS - Drag downloaded application to Applications folder.

  • Windows - Run downloaded installer.

The following sample image shows installation on macOS:

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Figure: VoltShare Installation on macOs

Note: In case of Linux, the application is pre-compiled (for Ubuntu) and ready to use.


Perform Sign up

It is required to Sign up or Log in (in case already performed sign up) before using the VoltShare application.

Step 1: Select Sign up or Log in using an existing account.
  • For Individual, continue with one of the options below:

    • Select Google to sing up and sign in using your existing Google account (Gmail).

    • Select Microsoft to sing up and sign in using your existing Microsoft account.

    • Select GitHub to sing up and sign in using your existing GitHub account.

  • For Teams, enter my-domain and press Next to login using your account credentials.

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Figure: Sign Up and Sign in for VoltShare

Note: The email address and authentication mechanism ensures that only the owner of the account is able to decrypt content sent to that account.

Step 2: Verify account.
  • Perform verification as per the instructions displayed on the application interface.

  • Upon successful verification, you can sign in and perform operations such as profile update, encrypt, and decrypt information

Note: During or after the verification, you can secure your account using functionalities such as device verification code and multi-factor authentication (MFA).


Encrypt Information

Step 1: Log into VoltShare application.
  • Select File or Text option. This example shows the Text option. Type the required information and select Encrypt.
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Figure: Input Information for Encryption

Note: In case you select the File option, drag and drop your file in the area indicated on the application user interface.

Step 2: Name your secret, enter recipient email addresses.

Enter a name for your secret in the Name field, and enter email addresses of recipients in Access field.

Step 3: Enter values in fields.
  • Enter a value in the Valid for field, and select one of the Day, Week, Month, or Year options to set the validity period for decryption keys.

  • Select Next.

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Figure: Encrypt Policy Configuration

Note: After the expiry of the duration, the recipient will not be able to decrypt the information.

Step 4: Share encrypted information.

Note: After encryption, the application displays three output options.

  • Select Copy to clipboard to share the encrypted information in a messaging channel, or paste in email to send to recipient.

  • Select Save As... to save encrypted file to store this information in shared mediums such as Dropbox.

  • Select Share with to share encrypted file by E-mail, WhatsApp, or Telegram.

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Figure: Encrypted Information Output Options

Note: Share the encrypted information with recipients and medium of your choice.

Step 5: Select Start Over to start VoltShare encryption process over if needed.

Decrypt Information

This example assumes that the sender copied the encrypted information to clipboard, and shared in a Slack channel with you as one of the intended recipients.

Step 1: Open VoltShare application, sign in with your account credentials.

Note: The email address you use for sign in must match the email address specified by the sender during the encryption.

Step 2: Select Encrypt/Decrypt options.
  • Select File or Text option in the Encrypt/Decrypt screen, and drop the received encrypted file or copy the encrypted content into field.

  • Select Decrypt to show decrypted secret.

  • This example shows copying of encrypted message received from a Slack channel.

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Figure: Decrypt Received Information
Step 3: Get decrypted text or file.
  • Select Copy to clipboard to store decrypted information to the clipboard. You can paste it in a file as per your choice.

Note: VoltShare decrypts and displays the content in the Decrypted text field.

  • Select Save As... and save the decrypted file to store this information in your device.
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Figure: Decrypted Information Output Options

Concepts