Show HN: Nano.noq – Experimental key-container format (github.com)

The NANO.NOQ project introduces an experimental key-container file format, designed to facilitate the secure storage of AES-GCM encryption keys while separating them from their ciphertext. The format features a fixed header, key length, the key itself, HMAC-slice verification for integrity, and random padding, all structured to ensure portability and verification without exposing sensitive information to users. This format is purely a design experiment and does not create a new cryptographic system; it relies entirely on existing standards like AES-GCM and the WebCrypto API. Significant for the AI/ML community, NANO.NOQ encourages experimentation in file format design and secure key storage, especially useful for educational purposes. It makes the process more accessible for beginners by consolidating all the implementation into a single HTML file that operates entirely on the client side without requiring server interaction. However, although it demonstrates innovative ideas for handling key storage and integrity checks, it is not proposed as a replacement for established security protocols, remaining unsuitable for production use or high-risk applications due to its experimental nature.