SVFS - Secure Virtual File System

A robust, secure file management system with built-in encryption, compression, and user authentication. Files are stored entirely within a secure SQLite database, providing a true virtual file system experience. ##Login window ##Main window

Quick Start

Use MinGW Qt toolchain (matching provided binaries) + OpenSSL.

:: Configure (MinGW + Qt + OpenSSL)
cmake -S . -B build -G "MinGW Makefiles" -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="C:\Qt\6.9.2\mingw_64" -DOPENSSL_ROOT_DIR=C:/msys64/mingw64

:: Build
cmake --build build -- -j %NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS%

:: (Optional) Bypass Qt license check spam for open-source build
set QTFRAMEWORK_BYPASS_LICENSE_CHECK=1

:: Deploy Qt runtime (DLLs, plugins) next to exe
cd build
"C:\Qt\6.9.2\mingw_64\bin\windeployqt.exe" --no-translations --release SecureVFS.exe

:: Run
SecureVFS.exe

If the app exits immediately, create a user first (New VFS) or add logging. A default test user is NOT auto-created.

Key Features

Virtual File System

• All files stored IN the VFS database (not external links)
• Built-in text editor - create files directly in VFS
• Import files FROM your computer INTO VFS
• Export files FROM VFS to your computer
• No external file dependencies

Security & Encryption

• Modern ciphers – AES‑256‑GCM (default), AES‑256‑CBC, ChaCha20‑Poly1305
• Algorithm selector – switch encryption and compression from the toolbar or Settings
• Decrypt on demand – remove encryption when needed
• Compression – ZLIB built-in; optional LZ4/Zstd when available
• Decompress instantly – auto-detected during decrypt via header flags
• User Authentication - Secure login with salted passwords
• Multi-User Support - Each user has isolated vault

File Operations

• Create/Edit text files with built-in editor
• Import files from local disk
• Export files to local disk
• Create folders and organize files
• Search across all files
• Delete, rename, copy files
• View detailed file properties

Advanced Features

• Context Menu: Right-click for all operations
• Dual-Pane View: File tree + preview/editor (toggle preview panel)
• Real-time Stats: See file count, sizes, encryption status
• Multiple VFS: Create and switch between different vaults
• Settings & Toolbar: Customize and switch encryption/compression algorithms
• Themes: System/Light/Dark/High Contrast with persistence
• File Properties: Detailed info incl. detected encryption algorithm and compression flag

How It Works

The VFS Concept

Unlike traditional file systems, SVFS stores ALL file content inside an SQLite database:

• No external file references
• Files exist only in the .svfsdb file
• Complete portability - move one file, move entire vault
• Encryption/compression managed transparently

Typical Workflow

1. Create VFS: File → New VFS → Save as my_vault.svfsdb
2. Create Account: Set username/password
3. Add Files:
   • Import: Bring existing files INTO the VFS
   • Create New: Write text files directly in built-in editor
4. Secure Files:
   • Right-click → Encrypt (AES-256)
   • Right-click → Compress (save space)
5. Edit Anytime: Right-click → Edit (even encrypted files)
6. Export When Needed: Right-click → Export (extract to disk)

Building

Windows Qt MinGW (Recommended)

# Open Qt 6 MinGW Command Prompt
cd /d C:\Users\siddh\OneDrive\Documents\Desktop\SVFS
cmake -S . -B build -G "MinGW Makefiles" -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="C:\Qt\6.9.2\mingw_64" -DOPENSSL_ROOT_DIR=C:/msys64/mingw64
cmake --build build -- -j %NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS%
set QTFRAMEWORK_BYPASS_LICENSE_CHECK=1
cd build
"C:\Qt\6.9.2\mingw_64\bin\windeployqt.exe" --no-translations --release SecureVFS.exe
SecureVFS.exe

Optional: LZ4/Zstd support (detected automatically if installed)

:: In MSYS2 shell (for MinGW toolchain), you can install:
pacman -S --needed mingw-w64-x86_64-lz4 mingw-w64-x86_64-zstd

Windows Visual Studio

# Open Developer Command Prompt
cmake -S . -B build -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64 -DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH="C:\Qt\6.9.2\msvc2019_64" -DOPENSSL_ROOT_DIR=C:/OpenSSL
cmake --build build --config Release -- /m
cd build/Release
"C:\Qt\6.9.2\msvc2019_64\bin\windeployqt.exe" --no-translations --release SecureVFS.exe
SecureVFS.exe

Linux/macOS

mkdir build && cd build
cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
make -j$(nproc)
./SecureVFS

Usage Examples

Creating a Secure Document Vault

1. Launch SVFS
2. File → New VFS → "documents.svfsdb"
3. Create account: "admin" / "secure_password"
4. Right-click tree → New File
5. Enter content in editor
6. Check "Encrypt" before saving
7. File saved encrypted in VFS!

Importing and Securing Existing Files

1. File → Import File
2. Select "confidential.pdf"
3. Check "Encrypt" + "Compress"
4. File now secure inside VFS
5. Original can be deleted from disk

Working with Encrypted Files

1. Double-click encrypted file → View in preview
2. Right-click → Edit → Makes changes
3. Save → Automatically re-encrypted
4. Right-click →  Decrypt → Remove encryption
5. Right-click →  Encrypt → Re-encrypt anytime

Exporting for Sharing

1. Right-click file → Export
2. Choose destination
3. File extracted from VFS to disk
4. Share/use normally
5. Original stays secure in VFS

Architecture

Core Components

• DatabaseManager: SQLite operations, schema, queries
• VFSManager: High-level file ops, user sessions, default algorithm prefs
• EncryptionManager: OpenSSL EVP (AES‑GCM/CBC, ChaCha20‑Poly1305), PBKDF2‑HMAC‑SHA256
• CompressionManager: ZLIB built‑in; optional LZ4/Zstd
• MainWindow: Qt6 GUI, themes, selectors, file tree, editor, menus
• LoginDialog: Authentication, account creation

Database Schema

users: id, username, password_hash, salt, created_at, last_login
files: id, filename, path, content, encrypted_content, mime_type, 
       size, user_id, is_encrypted, is_compressed, checksum
directories: id, name, path, parent_id, user_id, created_at

Security Notes

What's Implemented

• AES‑256‑GCM (default), AES‑256‑CBC, ChaCha20‑Poly1305
• PBKDF2‑HMAC‑SHA256 key derivation (100K iterations)
• Per-user file isolation
• Header format with magic+version+algorithm+flags (compression embedded)
• SHA‑256 checksums for content verification

Production Recommendations

For real-world use, enhance with:

• Argon2 for password hashing
• Hardware-backed key storage (OS keychain/TPM)
• Role-based access controls and audit logging
• Backup/recovery and key rotation
• 2FA authentication

Use Cases

• Personal Document Vault: Secure storage for sensitive documents
• Password Manager: Store encrypted text files with passwords
• Secure Notes: Keep private notes in encrypted VFS
• Portable Security: Carry vault on USB drive
• Development: Store API keys, certificates securely
• Archive: Compress old files, save space
• Multi-User: Family members with separate vaults

Contributing

Areas for improvement:

• WebDAV/cloud sync
• File versioning/history
• Drag-and-drop UI
• Thumbnail previews
• Batch operations
• Regex search
• Export as ZIP archive
• Mobile app version

📝 Requirements

• Qt 6.x (Core, Widgets, Sql)
• CMake 3.16+
• C++17 compiler (MSVC/GCC/Clang)
• SQLite (included with Qt)

Support & Troubleshooting

Q: I forgot my password!
A: Unfortunately, passwords cannot be recovered. Keep backups!

Q: App builds but no window appears?
A: You likely closed the login dialog (Reject) or have no user. Create a new VFS, then a user. For diagnostics, add qDebug() in main.cpp before and after login.exec(). Ensure windeployqt ran so the platform plugin qwindows.dll is present in build\platforms.

Q: License warnings during build?
A: Set QTFRAMEWORK_BYPASS_LICENSE_CHECK=1 before building to suppress non-commercial licensing noise.

Q: Can I access the same VFS from multiple computers?
A: Yes! Just copy the .svfsdb file. Log in with same credentials.

Q: Are files really secure?
A: For personal use, yes. For critical data, enhance with production-grade crypto.

Q: Can I have multiple users?
A: Yes! Each user sees only their files. Create accounts in login dialog.

Q: How do I backup?
A: Simply copy the .svfsdb file. That's your entire vault!

Credits

• Author:
• Created: August 31, 2025
• Framework: Qt6
• Database: SQLite
• Version: 2.0

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Remember**: This is a demonstration/educational project. For production use with sensitive data, implement additional security measures and conduct a security audit.

** Tip**: Keep regular backups of your .svfsdb files and store passwords securely!