Documentation

Installation

Installing File Shredder is quick and easy. Follow these steps to get started:

Chrome Web Store (Recommended)

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for "File Shredder"
3. Click "Add to Chrome"
4. Confirm the permissions when prompted

Manual Installation (Developer Mode)

1. Download the extension files from our GitHub repository - Coming Soon
2. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/
3. Enable "Developer mode" in the top right
4. Click "Load unpacked"
5. Select the downloaded extension directory

First Use

Once installed, File Shredder is ready to protect your files immediately. Here's how to get started:

Accessing File Shredder

Click the File Shredder icon in your browser toolbar. If you don't see it, click the puzzle piece icon and pin File Shredder.

Setting Up Your Password

On first launch, you'll be prompted to create a password:

1. Enter a strong password you'll remember
2. Confirm the password by entering it again
3. Click "Set Password" to secure your extension
4. Warning: There's no password recovery - if you forget it, you'll lose access to your shredded files

Your First Shred

1. Click the File Shredder icon to open the popup
2. Click "Select Files" or drag and drop files
3. Review the security options (all enabled by default)
4. Click "Shred Selected Files"
5. Your files are now securely fragmented!
6. Important: Manually delete the original file from your system
7. Empty your trash/recycle bin to permanently remove the original

Viewing Shredded Files

Switch to the "Manage Shreds" tab to see all your shredded files. Click on any file to preview or download it.

Basic Concepts

What is File Shredding?

File shredding is the process of breaking a file into multiple encrypted fragments. These fragments are:

• Stored separately in your browser's secure storage
• Encrypted and randomized
• Only accessible through the File Shredder extension
• Impossible to reconstruct without the proper metadata

Important Note: File Shredder creates encrypted copies of your files in fragment form. The original file remains untouched on your system and must be manually deleted after shredding.

How It Differs from Encryption

Traditional encryption transforms your entire file into an encrypted blob. File Shredder goes further by:

• Breaking files into variable-sized chunks
• Randomizing chunk order
• Adding padding between chunks
• Storing chunks separately

Zero-Knowledge Architecture

File Shredder operates entirely in your browser. Your files never leave your device, and we have no access to your data.

Shredding Files

Selecting Files

You can add files for shredding in multiple ways:

• File Picker: Click "Select Files" to browse
• Drag & Drop: Drag files directly onto the extension popup
• Multiple Selection: Select multiple files at once

Security Options

File Shredder offers three security features, all enabled by default:

1. Random Chunk Sizes

Instead of fixed-size chunks, File Shredder uses variable sizes between 10KB and 100KB. This makes pattern analysis impossible.

2. Shuffle Chunk Order

Chunks are stored in random order, not sequential. Even if someone accessed all chunks, they wouldn't know the correct order.

3. Add Random Padding

Random data is inserted between chunks, making file size analysis and chunk correlation impossible.

Shredding Process

1. File is read into memory
2. Split into chunks (10-100KB each)
3. Each chunk is encrypted
4. Padding added (if enabled)
5. Chunks shuffled (if enabled)
6. Metadata and chunks stored separately
7. Original file remains - must be manually deleted

Managing Shreds

Viewing Your Shreds

The "Manage Shreds" tab shows all your shredded files with:

• Original filename
• File size
• Shred date
• Number of chunks
• Security options used

Searching Files

Use the search bar to quickly find files by name. Search is instant and works with partial matches.

File Operations

• View: Click on a file to open in the built-in viewer
• Download: Reconstruct and download the original file
• Rename: Change the filename of your shredded file
• Delete: Permanently remove the shredded file

Built-in File Viewer

File Shredder includes a secure viewer for common file types:

Supported Formats

• Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG
• Videos: MP4, WebM, OGG
• Documents: PDF, TXT, MD
• Code: JS, CSS, HTML, JSON, XML

Viewer Features

• Full-screen mode
• Zoom controls for images
• Syntax highlighting for code
• Download original file
• Copy text content

Security

Files are reconstructed in memory only when viewing. The viewer operates in a sandboxed environment for maximum security.

Security Options Explained

Default Configuration

File Shredder enables all security features by default for maximum protection. You can disable them for specific use cases:

Password Protection

File Shredder includes mandatory password protection to secure access to the extension:

Initial Setup

• Create a password when you first open the extension
• Passwords are hashed using SHA-256 encryption
• No password recovery option - choose a password you'll remember!

How It Works

• Password required every time you open the extension
• Protects access to all extension features
• Session-based authentication (stays unlocked while in use)
• Automatically locks when you close the browser

Security Features

• Password hash stored locally using Chrome storage
• No plain text passwords ever stored
• Cannot be disabled for maximum security
• Change password option available in settings
• Failed login attempt tracking with automatic lockout
• Comprehensive login history for security monitoring

Login Security & Tracking

File Shredder now includes advanced login security features to protect against unauthorized access:

Failed Login Protection

• Attempt Tracking: All failed login attempts are recorded with timestamps
• Progressive Warnings: After 3 failed attempts, you'll see a count of failures
• Lockout Warning: At 4 failed attempts, you're warned about impending lockout
• Automatic Lockout: After 5 failed attempts within 30 minutes, the extension locks for 5 minutes
• Countdown Timer: During lockout, a real-time countdown shows when you can try again

Login History

View comprehensive login activity from the Settings tab:

• 7-Day History: All login events are stored for the past week
• Event Types: Both successful logins (✓) and failed attempts (✗) are tracked
• Dual Tracking: Current lockout counter (30 min) and historical data (7 days)
• Visual Indicators: Color-coded entries (green for success, red for failed)
• Clear History: Option to clear all login history if needed

How It Works

• Failed attempts are tracked in two ways:
  • Short-term (30 minutes) for lockout mechanism
  • Long-term (7 days) for security monitoring
• Successful login clears the lockout counter but preserves history
• All login events include precise timestamps
• History adapts to your selected theme for visibility

Disguise Options

File Shredder includes advanced disguise features to enhance your privacy by making the extension appear as a different type of application:

Display Name Customization

• Change what appears in the extension's header
• Create a custom name to suit your needs
• Updates instantly across the entire interface

Login Theme Templates

Transform the entire login screen to look like a completely different application. Available themes include:

• Cyberpunk (Default): The original File Shredder interface
• Corporate Dashboard: Professional business portal appearance
• Notes App: Simple note-taking application
• Calculator: Scientific calculator interface
• Weather Dashboard: Weather monitoring app
• Password Manager: Secure vault appearance
• Banking App: Financial institution portal
• Email Client: Email application interface
• Music Player: Streaming music service
• Code Editor: Developer tools interface
• Cloud Storage: File storage service
• VPN Client: Network security tool
• System Monitor: Terminal-style system utilities
• Crypto Wallet: Cryptocurrency management
• Social Media: Social networking platform

How Disguise Works

• Each theme completely transforms the login screen appearance
• Custom layouts, colors, and branding for each theme
• Your password works with all themes
• Theme persists across browser sessions
• Quick switching between themes in settings

Complete Extension Disguise

For maximum disguise, you can also rename the extension in Chrome's menu:

1. Visit chrome://extensions
2. Enable "Developer mode" (top right)
3. Click "Pack extension" to create a .crx file
4. Unzip the .crx file
5. Edit manifest.json and change the "name" field
6. Load the modified extension as unpacked

Technical Details

Architecture

File Shredder uses a multi-layered approach to security:

1. Fragmentation Layer

• Variable chunk sizes (10KB - 100KB)
• Cryptographically secure random number generation
• Non-sequential storage patterns

2. Storage Layer

• Chrome's IndexedDB for chunk storage
• Separate metadata storage
• Automatic garbage collection

3. Security Layer

• Web Crypto API for randomization
• SHA-256 password hashing
• Session-based authentication
• Content Security Policy enforcement
• Sandboxed execution environment

Performance

File Shredder is optimized for performance:

• Parallel chunk processing
• Streaming file reads
• Efficient memory management
• Progressive UI updates

API Reference

For developers interested in the internals:

// Core shredding function
async shredFile(file, options = {}) {
  const {
    randomChunks = true,
    shuffleOrder = true,
    addPadding = true
  } = options;
  
  // Returns metadata and chunks
}

Storage Management

Storage Limits

File Shredder uses Chrome's unlimited storage permission:

• No file size limits
• No total storage cap
• Limited only by device storage

Storage Usage

View your current storage usage in the extension popup footer. This includes:

• Total files stored
• Total storage used
• Largest file

Cleaning Up Storage

To free up space:

1. Go to "Manage Shreds"
2. Sort by size or date
3. Select files to remove
4. Click "Delete Selected"

Export and Backup

Currently, shredded files are tied to your browser profile. To move files:

1. Download the reconstructed files
2. Re-shred on the new device

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Extension Icon Not Visible

Click the puzzle piece icon in Chrome's toolbar and pin File Shredder.

Files Not Shredding

• Check browser console for errors
• Ensure sufficient storage space
• Try smaller files first
• Restart the browser

Cannot View Files

• Verify file type is supported
• Check if chunks are intact
• Try downloading instead

Performance Issues

• Close unnecessary tabs
• Shred files in smaller batches
• Clear browser cache
• Check available RAM

Error Messages

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Help

If you need additional assistance:

• Check our support page
• Email us at websupport@ussupportllc.com
• Join our community on GitHub
• Read our blog for tips and updates