Using Metamask to Encrypt and Decrypt Files

As a user of the popular decentralized application platform (dApp) IPFS, you are probably familiar with the importance of security when handling sensitive files. In this article, we will explore how to use Metamask’s public and private keys to encrypt and decrypt files on your local machine before uploading them to the IPFS network.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, make sure you have:

• A MetaMask wallet installed on your computer.

• The MetaMask browser extension is enabled in your web browser (desktop users only).

• Your private key is stored securely on your local machine.

Encryption and Decryption Process

Here is a step-by-step guide to encrypting and decrypting files using Metamask:

Step 1: Create Public and Private Keys

Create a new MetaMask wallet by following these steps:

• Visit the MetaMask website ([metamask.io]( in your browser.

• Click the « create wallet » button and select « Desktop ».

• Follow the instructions to create a new private key (for encryption) and a public key (for decryption).

In this example, we will use the following keys:

• Private key: « miEMmN3W9Bq6aQZuPdJjE9Xr7cR1f4sU »

• Public key: PKIHNbGFnIEV4IEVPbWFudCBub25tZXQgY29yZSBwaWNlcmlsaWFsLCAiMDEyMC0xOC03NjJkNDI5OTd9

Open the file in a text editor, add some random data (e.g. "Hello, World!"), and save it with a.txtextension, for exampleencrypted_file.txt.

Open your MetaMask wallet in your web browser and go to the "Account" tab. Find the public key you generated earlier (PKIHNbGFnIEV4IEVPbWFudCBub25tZXQgY29yZSBwaWNlcmlsaWFsLCAiMDEyMC0xOC03NjJkNDI5OTd9).

meta-mask encrypt -- public key PKIHNbGFnIEV4IEVPbWFudCBub25tZXQgY29yZSBwaWNlcmlsaWFsLCAiMDEyMC0xOC03NjJkNDI5OTd9 --private key miEMmN3W9Bq6aQZuPd7JcR19frs7 "encrypted_file.txt"

This will generate a new encrypted file with the same name as the original file, but with the .enc` extension.

Step 4: Decrypt the file with MetaMask’s private key

Open the encrypted file in a text editor. Then use MetaMask’s « Decrypt » function to decrypt the private key.

decrypt meta-mask --private-key miEMmN3W9Bq6aQZuPdJjE9Xr7cR1f4sU --public-key PKIHNbGFnIEV4IEVPbWFudCBub25tZXQgY29yZSBwaWNlcmlsaWFsLCAiMDEyMCN5JJx9 "encrypted_file.txt"

This will restore the original file, which you can now upload to IPFS.

Tips and Variations

• You can use different encryption algorithms, such as AES or RSA, by specifying them in the « encrypt » command.

• If you need to decrypt multiple files at once, simply multiply the number of files and their corresponding keys.

• To avoid having to store your private key securely on your local machine, consider using secure storage solutions such as hardware security modules (HSMs) or encrypted cloud storage.

By following the steps below, you have successfully used your Metamask public and private keys to encrypt and decrypt files on your local machine before uploading them to IPFS. Remember to always store your private key securely and never share it with anyone.