SHARENCRYPT: SECURE PEER-TO-PEER FILE SHARING

Abstract

The rise of decentralized communication has established peer-to-peer (P2P) networks as a powerful tool for data exchange. However, these networks often face significant security risks, legal issues, and connectivity challenges. This paper introduces ’Sharencrypt’, a final year project that addresses these limitations by developing a secure, hybrid P2P file-sharing system. The architecture synergistically combines WebRTC for direct, high performance data transfer with Web-Sockets for reliable signalling and peer discovery. At its core, the system’s security model ensures that all file transfers are protected by end-to-end encryption using the AES-GCM algorithm. The project’s methodology is based on a rigorous, multi-stage testing process that validates its functional, performance, and security attributes. The results confirm that this hybrid architecture successfully overcomes common P2P network obstacles, providing a robust and scalable solution. Performance analysis demonstrates the efficiency of the WebRTC data channel, while security audits validate the integrity of the cryptographic and authentication mechanisms. This work concludes with an evaluation of the system’s strengths and limitations, providing a roadmap for future research in scalable and anonymous P2P communication.