Encrypting content

The Data Padlock add-on allows you to encrypt two types of content: files and text-based messages. Any type of file (image, video, audio, etc) can be encrypted using this add-on, provided it is under 100MB in total size. This hard size limit exists for stability purposes.

To encrypt content, you must first open the add-on. This can be done from the Data Padlock button on your Firefox toolbar. If you don't see this button, please refer to the Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars page on the Firefox support website for further information on how to add buttons to your toolbar.

Once the add-on is open, select the "Encrypt Data" option from the main menu.

If you have not done so already, you will be asked to review and agree to the End-User License Agreement and Privacy Policy associated with the Data Padlock add-on. Once you have done so, you will be returned to the encryption page.

By default, the add-on encryption page starts in file encryption mode. To add a file to be encrypted, drag and drop a file into the dashed box or press the "Select File..." button to select one from your computer.

If you wish to encrypt a text-based message instead of a file, press the "change to text mode" button under the dashed file selection box. That will replace the file selection box with a text field, in which you can type your message.

Once you have added the file or typed the message you want to encrypt, you must enter a password. This will be the password that needs to be entered when you want to decrypt your data again. This password should be strong.

You aid you in creating a strong password, a password strength meter will appear to give you information about the complexity of your password. This meter is not a definitive indicator that you have created a strong password.

YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS PASSWORD. If you forget the password, you will not be able to decrypt your data again. NO ONE AFFILIATED WITH DATA PADLOCK CAN RECOVER YOUR DATA IF YOU FORGET YOUR PASSWORD.

Once you have selected a password, you must enter the password again in the text field below. This will help prevent you from making typoes in your password that would prevent you from decrypting your file in the future.

Once you have re-entered your password, you can press the "Encrypt" button to allow the add-on to encrypt your data using AES-GCM encryption.

If the password that you have entered does not pass the minimum password complexity test, you will be asked to confirm that you want to use this password. If this message appears, it's highly recommended that you use a stronger password.

Once the data has been encrypted, you will see a confirmation screen. You need to press the "Save" button to save the encrypted file to your computer. This will create a DPL file.

This is the file that you can share with other people or store securely.

For more information on decrypting the file, please refer to the Decrypting Content page on this wiki.