🌐 Web Crypto API

Browser-native cryptographic operations that provide hardware-accelerated security, secure key management, and tamper-resistant encryption directly in your browser.

What is the Web Crypto API?

The Web Crypto API is a JavaScript interface that provides cryptographic operations in web browsers. It's a W3C standard that enables secure, hardware-accelerated encryption without relying on external libraries or plugins.

Key Advantages

• Native browser implementation
• Hardware acceleration support
• Secure key storage in memory
• No external dependencies
• Standardized across browsers
• Performance optimized

Browser Support

Chrome✓ 37+

Firefox✓ 34+

Safari✓ 7+

Edge✓ 12+

Mobile✓ iOS/Android

Universal Support: Works on 98%+ of modern browsers and devices.

How SafeMonk Uses Web Crypto API

Encryption Operations

All AES-GCM encryption and decryption happens using the Web Crypto API's secure implementation.

crypto.subtle.encrypt("AES-GCM", key, data)

Secure Key Generation

Cryptographically secure random keys are generated using the browser's built-in random number generator.

crypto.subtle.generateKey("AES-GCM", true, ["encrypt", "decrypt"])

Key Derivation (PBKDF2)

Passphrase-based keys are derived using the Web Crypto API's PBKDF2 implementation with 210,000 iterations.

crypto.subtle.deriveKey("PBKDF2", baseKey, derivedKeyAlgorithm, false, ["encrypt"])

Random Data Generation

Initialization vectors, salts, and other random data use the Web Crypto API's secure random generator.

crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(16))

Security Benefits

Hardware Acceleration

Modern processors include dedicated cryptographic instruction sets that the Web Crypto API can leverage for faster and more secure operations.

⚡

AES-NI Instructions

Intel/AMD processors with dedicated AES acceleration

🔒

Constant-Time Operations

Prevents timing attacks through hardware optimization

🚀

Optimized Performance

10-100x faster than software implementations

Memory Protection

The Web Crypto API provides enhanced security for cryptographic keys and sensitive data in memory.

🛡️

Secure Key Storage

Keys stored in protected memory regions

🔥

Automatic Cleanup

Sensitive data cleared from memory automatically

👁️

Anti-Inspection

Keys not accessible to JavaScript debugging

Technical Implementation Details

Encryption Workflow

1
Generate Random Key
const key = await crypto.subtle.generateKey(
{name: 'AES-GCM', length: 256},
true, ['encrypt', 'decrypt']
);
2
Generate IV
const iv = crypto.getRandomValues(new Uint8Array(12));
3
Encrypt Data
const encrypted = await crypto.subtle.encrypt(
{name: 'AES-GCM', iv: iv},
key, data
);

Key Derivation Workflow

1
Import Passphrase
const keyMaterial = await crypto.subtle.importKey(
'raw', encoder.encode(passphrase),
{name: 'PBKDF2'}, false, ['deriveKey']
);
2
Derive Key with PBKDF2
const key = await crypto.subtle.deriveKey({
  name: 'PBKDF2',
  salt: salt,
  iterations: 210000,
  hash: 'SHA-256'
}, keyMaterial, aesKeyAlgo, false, ['encrypt']);

Performance & Compatibility

Performance Benefits

Encryption Speed

Hardware-accelerated AES can encrypt/decrypt at gigabytes per second, making even large file operations nearly instantaneous.

Memory Efficiency

Native implementation uses minimal memory overhead compared to JavaScript-based cryptography libraries.

Battery Life

Hardware acceleration reduces CPU usage, extending battery life on mobile devices during cryptographic operations.

Cross-Platform Support

Windows (Chrome/Edge/Firefox)✅

macOS (Safari/Chrome/Firefox)✅

Linux (Chrome/Firefox)✅

iOS (Safari/Chrome)✅

Android (Chrome/Firefox)✅

Fallback Support: SafeMonk automatically detects Web Crypto API availability and provides graceful fallbacks for older browsers.

Comparison with Alternatives

Feature	Web Crypto API	JS Libraries	Server-Side
Performance	⚡ Hardware accelerated	🐌 Software only	⚡ Hardware accelerated
Security	🔒 Memory protected	⚠️ JavaScript accessible	❌ Keys on server
Bundle Size	✅ Built-in (0 KB)	📦 50-500 KB	✅ Server-side
Trust Model	🌐 Browser vendor	📚 Library author	🏢 Service provider
Zero-Knowledge	✅ Client-side only	✅ Client-side only	❌ Server has keys