Keycapsules

Keycapsules are a modern approach to storing and sharing digital information, particularly passwords and sensitive data. They function as secure, encrypted containers that can be shared with trusted individuals. The core concept revolves around breaking down a piece of information into multiple encrypted fragments, often referred to as "shards" or "pieces." These shards are then distributed among different individuals or stored in different locations.

To reconstruct the original information, a predetermined threshold of these shards must be gathered. This threshold is set during the creation of the keycapsule and ensures that a single compromised shard does not expose the entire secret. For example, a keycapsule might be set up to require 3 out of 5 shards for reconstruction. This distributed security model enhances resilience against loss or theft of individual pieces.

Keycapsules are typically created using cryptographic techniques such as Shamir's Secret Sharing, which allows for the division of a secret into multiple parts such that any single part is meaningless on its own, but a specific number of parts can be combined to reveal the secret. This technology is applied to various digital contexts, including secure communication, password management, and digital asset protection. The ease of sharing and the enhanced security make keycapsules a practical tool for managing sensitive information in a decentralized manner.