Frequently Asked Questions

Secure Notes is a secure note-sharing service that allows you to share sensitive information through encrypted, self-destructing notes. Here's how it works:

1. Create: Write your sensitive message and set expiry options
2. Encrypt: Your message is automatically encrypted with military-grade AES-256 encryption
3. Share: Get a unique, one-time link to share with your recipient
4. Self-Destruct: The note automatically destroys itself after being read or when it expires

This ensures your sensitive information remains private and secure, with no permanent storage of your data.

Yes, Secure Notes implements enterprise-grade security measures:

• AES-256 Encryption: The same encryption standard used by governments and financial institutions
• Zero-Log Policy: We don't log, track, or store your note contents
• Self-Destruction: Notes are permanently deleted after viewing or expiration
• HTTPS Only: All communications are encrypted in transit
• No Tracking: We don't use cookies, analytics, or tracking mechanisms
• Rate Limiting: Protection against abuse and spam attempts

Your privacy and security are our top priorities.

Secure Notes is perfect for sharing any sensitive information, including:

• Passwords and login credentials
• API keys and tokens
• Credit card numbers and financial information
• Personal identification numbers (SSN, etc.)
• Confidential business information
• Personal messages that need to remain private
• Recovery codes and backup phrases

Maximum limit: 10,000 characters per note. Please don't share illegal content or use the service for harmful purposes.

No, we cannot recover lost notes. This is by design for maximum security:

• Notes are encrypted with unique keys
• We don't store the decryption keys in a way that allows recovery
• There's no user account system or backup mechanism
• Once a note is destroyed, it's permanently gone

Important: Always copy and save the note link immediately after creation. We recommend sharing it as soon as possible to avoid accidental loss.

You can set different expiry options when creating a note:

Time-based expiry options:

• 1 hour
• 24 hours (default)
• 7 days
• 30 days

View-based expiry options:

• 1 view (most secure)
• 3 views
• 5 views
• 10 views

Expiry types:

• After being viewed: Destroys after reaching view limit
• After specific time: Destroys when time expires
• After viewed OR time expires: Destroys when either condition is met

The passcode feature adds an extra layer of security to your notes:

How it works:

• You set a custom passcode when creating the note
• Recipients must enter the passcode to decrypt and view the note
• Wrong passcode attempts are logged for security
• Passcodes are hashed using Argon2ID for maximum security

When to use passcodes:

• Highly sensitive information: Financial data, passwords, personal documents
• Shared channels: When sending links through potentially insecure channels
• Multiple recipients: To ensure only intended recipients can access
• Extra verification: To confirm the recipient's identity

Tip: Share the passcode through a different communication channel than the note link for maximum security.

Yes, we implement rate limiting to prevent abuse and ensure service quality:

Current limits:

• Note Creation: 10 notes per hour per IP address
• Note Viewing: 50 views per hour per IP address

Why we have rate limits:

• Prevent spam and abuse
• Protect server resources
• Ensure service availability for all users
• Defend against automated attacks

If you consistently hit rate limits for legitimate use, please contact us to discuss your needs.

Yes! You can optionally receive email notifications when your notes are accessed:

What's included in notifications:

• Date and time of access
• IP address of the viewer (anonymized for privacy)
• Browser/device information
• Whether the note was successfully decrypted

Privacy considerations:

• We only store your email temporarily for notification purposes
• Email addresses are deleted after the note expires
• We never use emails for marketing or other purposes
• Notification emails don't contain the note content

Note: Email notifications are optional and can be enabled when creating a note.

If you're experiencing issues with a note, here are common causes and solutions:

Common issues:

• "Note not found": The note may have expired, been viewed maximum times, or the link is incorrect
• "Invalid passcode": Double-check the passcode for typos or case sensitivity
• "Rate limit exceeded": You've hit viewing limits, wait an hour and try again
• "Failed to decrypt": The note may be corrupted or tampered with

Troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify the complete note URL is copied correctly
2. Check if the note has expired by time or view count
3. Try accessing from a different browser or device
4. Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
5. Clear your browser cache and cookies

If problems persist, the note may have been destroyed or corrupted. Unfortunately, once a note is destroyed, it cannot be recovered.

Secure Notes is completely free to use with no hidden costs or premium tiers:

What's included for free:

• Unlimited note creation (within rate limits)
• AES-256 encryption
• All expiry options (time and view-based)
• Passcode protection
• Email notifications
• Up to 10,000 characters per note
• No ads or tracking

How we sustain the service:

• Optional donations from users who find value in the service
• Efficient infrastructure that keeps costs low
• Community support and contributions

We believe secure communication should be accessible to everyone. If you find Secure Notes valuable, consider supporting us through our donation page.