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How to Use Safe-to-Safe Messaging in UnoLock

Welcome to the guide on using Safe-to-Safe Messaging in UnoLock CybVault. Safe-to-Safe Messaging is a secure, direct communication feature that allows Sovereign and HighRisk tier users to send encrypted messages and files to any UnoLock Safe owner (including Free and Inheritance tiers). Recipients can decrypt and view payloads within their vault, ensuring end-to-end privacy. This feature leverages UnoLock's zero-knowledge architecture for untraceable, post-quantum protected exchanges, ideal for collaborative or sensitive communications.

Safe-to-Safe Messaging operates on UnoLock's trustless model, using ML-KEM-1024 and AES-GCM-256 for encryption. Senders remain anonymous if desired, with notifications for recipients.

Why Use Safe-to-Safe Messaging?

  • Direct Vault-to-Vault Security: Enables encrypted text, files, and attachments between Safes without external tools, reducing exposure risks.
  • Tier Flexibility: Sovereign and HighRisk users can send; all tiers can receive, democratizing secure communication.
  • Post-Quantum Resilience: Protects against future quantum threats, ensuring long-term confidentiality.
  • Virality and Collaboration: Facilitates trusted sharing (e.g., with address book integration), fostering networks while maintaining anonymity.
  • Use Cases: Share crypto keys with heirs (Inheritance tier), coordinate projects (Sovereign tier), or transmit evidence (HighRisk tier) without metadata leakage.

Security Note

Only send to trusted recipients. Use the address book to manage trust levels. Messages are encrypted, but always verify the recipient's address to avoid misdelivery.

How Safe-to-Safe Messaging Works

The system integrates with your Safe for seamless sending and receiving: - Sending: Compose in the app, encrypt client-side, and send directly to the recipient's Safe (or save as an encrypted file for external sharing). - Receiving: Notifications alert you; decrypt and view in your vault's messaging area. - Address Book: Manage contacts with trust levels (e.g., block, admin) for secure, organized interactions. - Encryption: Payloads use post-quantum algorithms, with unique IVs per message for forward secrecy. - Offline Options: Save messages as files for distribution via email, USB, or cloud, decryptable only in UnoLock.

This aligns with UnoLock's defense-in-depth, ensuring resilience and user control.

Prerequisites

  • Sender Tier: Sovereign or HighRisk (sending unavailable on Free or Inheritance).
  • Recipient Tier: Any (Free, Inheritance, Sovereign, HighRisk).
  • Recipient's Address: Know the recipient's random address (shared from their Safe).
  • Notifications: Register for notifications in settings to receive alerts.
  • Device: Authenticated UnoLock session on a secure device.

If you're new to messaging, see Messaging Overview.

Step-by-Step Guide to Sending a Safe-to-Safe Message

Follow these steps as a Sovereign or HighRisk user to send a message.

  1. Authenticate into UnoLock
    Open the UnoLock app and authenticate using your biometric or FIDO2 method.

  2. Access the Messaging Menu
    In the left-hand menu, click "Messaging." This opens the messaging hub, showing your address at the top.

  3. Configure Settings (Optional but Recommended)
    Click the settings icon (top right) to view your address, creation date, and options. Register for notifications to alert you of incoming messages. Open the Address Book to add trusted contacts, set trust levels (e.g., name, block, admin), and manage interactions.

  4. Create a New Message
    Click "New Message" to start composing.

  5. Enter Recipient Details
    Input the recipient's address (from their Safe). Add a subject line for context.

  6. Compose the Message
    Write your message in the text area, similar to an email.

  7. Add Attachments (Optional)
    Attach files from your local device or saved in your Safe. Files are encrypted alongside the message.

  8. Send or Save the Message

  9. Send: Click "Send" to deliver directly to the recipient's Safe. They receive a notification and can decrypt in their messaging area.

  10. Save: Click "Save" to create an UnoLock encrypted file (.unolock). Download and share externally (e.g., email, USB). The recipient uploads it to decrypt.

  11. Confirm Delivery
    The message sends encrypted; track in your sent items if needed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Receiving a Safe-to-Safe Message

Any tier can receive; follow these steps to open a message.

  1. Receive Notification
    If registered, you'll get a notification (email or in-app) of a new message.

  2. Access the Messaging Menu
    In the left-hand menu, click "Messaging." Incoming messages appear here.

  3. Open the Message
    Select the message to decrypt client-side. View the subject, text, and attachments.

  4. Save Content (Optional)
    Save the message as a note in your current Space. Attachments save to files (cloud or local).

  5. Review Saved Items
    Notes appear in your notes section; attachments in files.

Troubleshooting

  • No Messaging Option: Ensure you're authenticated. Free/Inheritance users can only receive, check notifications.
  • Decryption Fails: Verify the message is for your Safe. Retry in a secure session.
  • No Notification: Register in settings (top right in Messaging).
  • File Upload Issues: For saved files, ensure it's a valid .unolock payload. Limit file sizes for performance.

If problems persist, join our Reddit community for support.

Security Considerations

  • Anonymity: No sender metadata is revealed; use the address book to trust sources.
  • Post-Quantum Resilience: ML-KEM-1024 and AES-GCM-256 ensure quantum-proof exchanges.
  • Zero Metadata Design: No correlatable patterns or logs, preventing tracking.
  • Trust Levels: Use the address book to block untrusted senders or grant admin access.
  • Forward Secrecy: Unique secrets per message protect against compromises.

For a deep dive into Safe-to-Safe security, see Safe to Safe Messaging Security. Own your digital destiny with UnoLock.