pyfino 0.3.0

Proof-of-Concept: Secure File Sharing via IPFS + Nostr DMs

🔐📁 FiNo - Secure File Sharing via IPFS + Nostr

FiNo (File + Nostr) is a decentralized, secure file sharing tool that combines IPFS storage with Nostr messaging for truly anonymous and censorship-resistant file transfers.

🌟 Features

• 🔐 End-to-End Encryption: AES-256-GCM + ECDH key exchange
• 🌐 Decentralized: No central servers, works globally
• 🆓 Completely Free: No API keys, no registration required
• ⚡ Real-Time: Instant file sharing via Nostr DMs
• 🔒 Privacy-Focused: No central servers, no tracking
• 🗜️ Smarter Transfers: Files are compressed (gzip) before encryption by default
• 🎨 Beautiful CLI: Rich-powered output with panels, colors and emojis

🚀 Quick Start

1. Install FiNo

pip install pyfino

2. Install IPFS (one-time setup)

# macOS
brew install ipfs

# Linux
curl -O https://dist.ipfs.io/go-ipfs/v0.36.0/go-ipfs_v0.36.0_linux-amd64.tar.gz
tar -xvzf go-ipfs_v0.36.0_linux-amd64.tar.gz
sudo mv go-ipfs/ipfs /usr/local/bin/

# Windows
# Download from https://ipfs.io/docs/install/

3. Initialize IPFS (one-time setup)

ipfs init
sudo brew services start ipfs  # macOS
# or: ipfs daemon &  # Linux/Windows

4. Generate your keys

fino gen-key

5. Send a file

fino send document.pdf --to npub1abc... --from nsec1xyz...

6. Receive files

fino receive --from nsec1xyz...

7. Show version

fino --version

🤔 How It Works (ELI5)

The Problem

• Traditional file sharing needs central servers (Google Drive, Dropbox)
• These can be shut down, censored, or hacked
• They know who you are and what you're sharing

The Solution

FiNo splits file sharing into two parts:

1. 📁 File Storage (IPFS)

   • Files are stored on a global network (like a giant, distributed hard drive)
   • No single point of failure
   • Files are accessible from anywhere in the world
   • Free forever - no company owns it

2. 📨 File Location (Nostr)

   • The "address" of your file is sent via Nostr (like a decentralized email)
   • Only the person you send it to can find the file
   • No central server controls the messages

Behavior & Defaults

• Files are automatically compressed with gzip before encryption to reduce transfer size (media like .mp4/.jpg may not shrink).
• IPFS announce (provider routing) is performed in the background to minimize blocking; global discoverability may take a few seconds after send.

How It's Free

• IPFS: Community-run network, no company owns it
• Nostr: Decentralized messaging protocol, no company owns it
• No API keys: You're not using anyone's service
• No registration: You're just using open protocols

🔐 Security Features

• AES-256-GCM: Military-grade file encryption
• ECDH: Perfect forward secrecy for metadata
• Zero-knowledge: No one can see your files except the intended recipient
• End-to-end encryption: Files encrypted before transmission
• Compress-before-encrypt: Reduces plaintext patterns and metadata hints before encryption, and shrinks size for faster, cheaper transfers
• Decentralized: No central point of failure

📦 Installation Details

Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• IPFS daemon
• Internet connection

🚨 Important Notes

• Experimental software - Use at your own risk
• Keep your nsec private - Never share your private key
• Backup your keys - If you lose them, you can't access your files
• IPFS persistence - Files may be removed if not pinned by someone

⚡ Performance Tips

• Start the IPFS daemon before sending to keep it "warm": ipfs daemon
• Your sender upload speed is the main bottleneck for total time; compression helps most for text/JSON/CSV, not for videos/images/ZIPs.
• Receivers may need a few seconds after you send for background DHT announce to propagate; if a fetch fails immediately, retry once.

🔗 Useful Links

• IPFS Documentation
• Nostr Protocol
• FiNo GitHub

📄 License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This is experimental software for innovation research only. Use responsibly and in accordance with local laws.