Building CipherVault: Understanding Encryption

Most cloud storage platforms focus on convenience.

With CipherVault, the goal was different: understanding how modern security systems actually work behind the scenes.

CipherVault is a full-stack MERN application that combines secure file storage with real-world cybersecurity concepts like AES-256 encryption, RSA digital signatures, JWT authentication, and malware detection.

Built using React.js, Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB, the project allows users to securely upload, encrypt, sign, verify, and download files through a clean web interface.

Tech Stack:
• React.js + Bootstrap 5
• Node.js + Express.js
• MongoDB
• AES-256-CBC
• RSA-2048
• JWT Authentication

One of the most interesting parts of the project was implementing the complete security flow:

• User authentication with JWT
• Password hashing using bcrypt
• AES-based file encryption
• RSA digital signature verification
• SHA-256 malware hash detection
• Encrypted-only file storage

The system also includes performance testing APIs to compare AES vs DES encryption, making the project both practical and educational.

More than just a storage app, CipherVault became a hands-on exploration of how secure systems are designed in modern web applications.

GitHub Repository

https://github.com/Wajahat220/ciphervault