Simple Step-by-Step Guide: How SurePack Certificate System Works

Overview

SurePack is like a digital ID card system where users can get unique, secure identities for encrypted communication. Think of it as getting a special passport that only you can use.

🔐Creating Your Digital Identity (Client Side)

Step 1: User Starts the Process

• User runs a simple command: surepack create
• Optional: Can add their email address for recovery: surepack create -e john@example.com -t 123456
• User enters a password (like a master key for their digital safe)

Step 2: Creating Your Keys (Like Making a Lock and Key)

The computer creates THREE different types of locks and keys:

1. Regular Key (RSA) - Like a traditional house key
2. Future-Proof Key #1 (Kyber) - Protected against future quantum computers (for encryption)
3. Future-Proof Key #2 (Dilithium) - Protected against future quantum computers (for signatures)

Think of it as having three different locks on your door - even if someone figures out how to pick one, they still can't get in.

Step 3: Sending Your Request

• The computer keeps all the PRIVATE keys (like keeping your house keys)
• It sends only the PUBLIC keys to the server (like giving out copies of your locks)
• If you provided an email, it includes the verification code

Step 4: Receiving Your Identity

The server sends back:

• Your unique name: Three random words like happy-cloud-tree.example.com
• Your certificate: Like an official ID card signed by the server

Step 5: Verifying Everything is Legitimate

• The computer checks that the certificate is real (like checking a driver's license hologram)
• It saves a "fingerprint" of the server's signature for future verification

Step 6: Storing Everything Safely

Your computer saves:

• Your certificate (public - like your ID card)
• Your three private keys (encrypted with your password - like keys in a safe)
• The server's fingerprint (to verify future communications)

Everything is stored in a special folder on your computer, protected by your password.

🖥️How the Server Creates Your Identity

Step 1: Receiving the Request

The server gets:

• Your public keys (the "locks")
• Optional: Your email and verification code

Step 2: Checking Your Identity (If Email Provided)

If you provided an email:

• Server checks if you're allowed to use that email domain
• Verifies your code matches what was sent to your email
• Ensures the code hasn't expired (1-hour time limit)
• Deletes the code after successful verification

Step 3: Creating Your Unique Name

The server:

• Randomly picks three words from a dictionary of 10,000 common words
• Creates combinations like happy-cloud-tree
• Checks if this name is already taken
• Tries up to 10 times to find a unique name

Step 4: Creating Your Certificate

The server creates an official certificate that includes:

• Your name: The three-word alias
• Valid for: 397 days (about 13 months)
• Your public key: So others can send you encrypted messages
• Your email: If provided, for account recovery
• Special data: Your quantum-resistant public keys
• Server's signature: Proving it's authentic

Step 5: Signing with the Master Key

• The server unlocks its master signing key (kept encrypted)
• Signs your certificate (like a notary stamping a document)
• This signature proves the certificate is genuine

Step 6: Storing and Returning

The server:

• Saves your certificate in two places:
  • Main storage: Under your three-word name
  • Email storage: Under your email (if provided)
• Sends the certificate back to you

🔒Why HTTPS/SSL is Critical

The server MUST have a valid HTTPS certificate (the green padlock in your browser) because:

1. Initial Trust: Like checking the bank's official seal before opening an account
2. Secure Communication: All data is encrypted during transmission
3. Server Authentication: Proves you're talking to the real server, not an imposter
4. Certificate Verification: When checking if other users are legitimate

🎯Simple Analogy

Think of the whole system like getting a passport:

1. You apply (create command) with your information
2. You keep your private documents (private keys) in your safe at home
3. You send copies of public documents (public keys) to the passport office
4. The passport office verifies your identity (email verification)
5. They create your unique passport (certificate with three-word name)
6. They stamp it with their official seal (digital signature)
7. They send it back to you (return certificate)
8. You store it safely (encrypted storage)

The HTTPS certificate is like the official government building - you know you're in the right place because you can see the official signs and security guards. Without it, you might accidentally give your information to scammers in a fake office.

📝What You End Up With

After the process, you have:

• A unique three-word identity (like happy-cloud-tree.example.com)
• Three types of private keys (locked with your password)
• A certificate that proves your identity
• The ability to:
  • Receive encrypted messages that only you can read
  • Send signed messages that others can verify came from you
  • Communicate securely even if quantum computers are invented