NOTESAFE
| Application: |
NoteSafe 3.00 |
| Current Build: |
3.01.00.0008 (updated 5-jan-2010) |
| Download: |
Zipped Installation (834Kb) |
| Installation System Requirements: |
Windows XP, Windows 7 |
SUMMARY
NoteSafe allows private and confidential information to be grouped together in a single document. NoteSafe is an alternative to having individual files of sensitive information spread all over a computer or network of computers. NoteSafe encrypts the entire information groups so NoteSafe files can be sent by email and uploaded onto the Internet without risk of information theft. See the user guide below for more detailed instructions on running NoteSafe.
INSTALLATION
 NoteSafe 3.00 (834Kb)
INTRODUCTION
NoteSafe is a Windows application that stores your secret information in a single data
file. This single data file (or "NoteSafe file") can be stored locally, on your hard
disk or a memory stick, or remotely, on the Internet. Access to your NoteSafe file
is only possible with the correct set of encryption details, including a password,
codeword and algorithm phrase.
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Password |
The password can be up to 48 characters long, and is case-sensitive. To open the NoteSafe file you will need to enter your complete password.
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Codeword |
The codeword is made up of 12 uppercase (A-Z) and numeric (0-9) characters. To
open your NoteSafe file you will need to enter three characters from your codeword. These will be selected using the codeword selector disk (shown on the right), which uses mouse input
only, and makes it difficult for keyboard spy software to pick up your encryption details.
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Algorithm |
NoteSafe uses sandwich encryption,
where different encryption algorithms are stacked up like a massive sandwich. The way this sandwich is put together is determined by the
algorithm phrase. Without the correct algorithm phrase, the
NoteSafe file cannot be opened.
For example the algorithm phrase "chewing gum" is converted by NoteSafe into the following algorithm:
Each block shown above represents a single algorithm function. For example, "Reverse" reverses all of the characters in the data. "DES" applies DES encryption using the password as key data.
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NOTESAFE FILE LOCATION
NoteSafe files can be stored locally, for example on your hard disk, or remotely,
on an Internet website.
Remote files provide secure access to your information from any computer with Internet access. To store a file remotely requires two additional
pieces
of information - the HTTP address of the file and the FTP address of the file. The HTTP address
is used to download the file from the Internet.
The FTP address is used to upload the NoteSafe file when the NoteSafe application
closes.
The username and password used for FTP upload is stored in the NoteSafe file.
Files stored on your hard disk and memory stick are more secure than those stored
on the Internet, as anyone can download your NoteSafe file from the Internet, and
start trying to hack into
it. Please read the Secrecy Guidelines before using
NoteSafe.
The location of a NoteSafe file can be changed at any time by using the Change Location facility under the options menu.
SECRECY GUIDELINES
Please consider the following, especially if you decide to store your NoteSafe file on the Internet:
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Do not access your NoteSafe file from unsafe terminals, such as those in hotel lobbies
and Internet cafes.
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Use large, obscure and mixed case passwords.
You will see a bar graph next to the password textbox showing how strong your password is.
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Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus software to
protect you from keystroke logging software.
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Disguise your file with a deceptive name. For example, avoid file names such
as "my_secret_data.dat", and favour file names such as "toplogo.gif". Assume
that everyone has access to your NoteSafe file, and that the encryption details are the
only thing preventing hackers getting to your data. Do not rely on file-hiding
as a form of security. |
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CREATING A NOTESAFE FILE
To create a new NoteSafe file, start the NoteSafe application to present the CREATE form. Make sure the "Create a new NoteSafe file" option at the top of the form is checked.
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The form on the left is divided into three section, 1 determine where your NoteSafe file will be stored, locally or remotely, 2 set up your encryption sandwich, and 3 create your NoteSafe file.
Before creating a new NoteSafe file, decide where you want to store your NoteSafe file.
If you want to store your file locally, check the option in section 1 "On my hard-disk or a memory stick", and enter the path to your NoteSafe file.
To store your file on the Internet, check the option "On the Internet" and complete the remote-location form.
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In section 2, enter your encryption options.
| Password |
Enter the password for your NoteSafe file. The red-orange-green bar graph below the password textbox indicates
how strong your password is. The strongest password will be of 12 characters
or more, and will consist of a mixture of upper-case characters (A-Z), lower-case
characters (a-z) and number characters (0-9).
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| Codeword |
Enter a 12 character codeword, consisting of upper-case letters and numbers.
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| Algorithm |
Enter your algorithm phrase, which must be 12 characters long. |
Finally, click the "Create" button to create your file.
REMOTE LOCATION
To store your NoteSafe on the Internet, you need to enter the HTTP location of the file, and the FTP location. The HTTP location is used to retrieve the file from the Internet. The FTP location is used to upload changes to your file. BOTH THE HTTP AND FTP LOCATIONS POINT TO THE SAME FILE.
When entering a remote-location, you will see a form like the one below.
| HTTP Location |
The HTTP location of the file. This could be a different entry to the FTP
location, but the important thing is that both the FTP location and the HTTP location
point to the same file.
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| FTP Address: |
The Internet name of your FTP server. This could be a machine name like "hub4" or an IP address like "168.0.1.45".
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| FTP Folder: |
The folder or folder path on you FTP server.
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| FTP Filename: |
The filename of your NoteSafe file. Although it is recommended that you use deceptive file extensions, such as "gif" and "jpg", some websites prevent files being downloaded that may be dangerous. Examples are "exe" and "dll". Some websites will also prevent the download of files with the extensions "asp" and "dat".
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FTP Username
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FTP Password: |
The FTP username and password combination that allow access to your FTP account.
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Use the test button to test connectivity to the FTP server.
OPENING YOUR NOTESAFE FILE
To open an existing NoteSafe file, start the NoteSafe application, and check the option "Open an existing NoteSafe file" at the top of the form.
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The form is divided into three section, 1 enter the location of your NoteSafe file, 2 enter your encryption sandwich, 3 attempt to open your NoteSafe file.
The location could be either a local filepath such as:
C:\Documents and Settings\Bob Lemon\My Documents\Secrets.dat
or a remote location such as:
http://www.acmecompany.com/accounts/secrets.dat
Enter your password and algorithm and three characters from your codeword, then click "Open" to open your NoteSafe file. |
APPLICATION LAYOUT
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The main window is divided in two. On the left is the folder tree in which notes and files can be stored. On the right is a note-list which displays notes and files that are stored in the currently selected folder.
Folders can be added and removed from the folder tree by right clicking the folder tree, and selecting New Folder and Delete Folder from the context menu. If a folder is deleted, all of the notes, files and folders within the folder are also deleted.
The folder that is currently selected is shown above the note list.
When no folder is selected, the content of the root folder is displayed.
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Notes and files can be added to the note list by right clicking and selecting New Note or Add File from the context menu. The context menu also has options for deleting notes and files from the NoteSafe file.
To open a note for editing, double-click the note, or select the note and click Open Note from the context menu. To retrieve a file, again, double-click the file, or select the file and click "Retrieve File from the context menu.
EDITING A NOTE
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On the left is the note form. At the top of the form is a textbox for editing the note name. There is a button on the right of the name for changing the icon associated with the note.
In the center of the form is the note content. Notes consist of fields of information.
Groups contain more than one field.
In the example on the left, there are groups for an Ftp Account, an Email Account.
The icon on the right of each field identifies the type of field. For example a free text, a password, or a website address.
Note that passwords are not displayed until they are selected with the mouse, just in case anyone is looking over your shoulder.
To edit a field, double-click it with the mouse. Enter a new value and press the return key, or press the escape key to ignore your changes.
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To add new fields and groups, use the context menu, or the Insert menu above the content display.
At the top of the context menu are fields, including text, password and date.
Below the fields is the divider line, which can be used to break up the display of information and make it more readable.
Below the divider are the pre-set groups.
Some fields and groups have special functions available from the context menu. For example the password field has a Password Helper that makes choosing password characters easier.
To remove a field or group, select it and click Delete from the context menu. A field from a multi-item group cannot be deleted. Only whole groups can be deleted.
Some groups may have one or more empty fields. These empty fields can be hidden by clicking Hide Empty Fields from the context menu. Hiding empty fields reduced the display size of your information, making it more compact.
Fields can be copied, cut and pasted. However fields cannot be copied and pasted between two different notes, as this would put secret information on the clipboard.
Fields can also be copied as text for inserting into other documents.
To save the note, click OK. If no changes have been made to the Note, no change is made to the NoteSafe file. To cancel your changes, click the Cancel button.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have lost my password, codeword and algorithm. If I send you my NoteSafe, can you unlock it?
No.
How secure is NoteSafe?
In our opinion the sandwich encryption
method is strong enough to protect your data from strangers who do not know your
encryption details. However, it is not strong enough to protect you from national
intelligence agencies.
The main vulnerability to your NoteSafe is from strangers finding out your encryption
details, by monitoring your keystrokes, employing a screen-scraping Trojan, recording your computer usage on a video
camera, or by asking you what your password is.
See our Secrecy Guidelines before using NoteSafe.
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
All users of Broccoli products are entitled to email support for both licensed and freeware products.
The Product Report Form is provided for reporting minor bugs and requests for enhancements. For other support issues, please contact us by email.
Software support: support@broccoliproducts.com
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