Understanding Zero-Knowledge Encryption

Last updated: Apr 26, 2026

Zero-Knowledge Encryption

PassLink uses a zero-knowledge architecture — we never see your secrets.

How It Works

When you create a secret, the encryption key is placed in the URL fragment (the part after #):

https://passlink.click/s/abc123#ENCRYPTION_KEY_HERE

The URL fragment is never sent to our servers — this is a fundamental behavior of web browsers defined in RFC 3986. It stays entirely in your browser.

What We Store vs. What We Don't

✅ We Store (Encrypted)

  • Encrypted ciphertext (unreadable without the key)
  • Expiration timestamp
  • View count metadata

❌ We Never Store

  • Your original secret text
  • The encryption key
  • Your IP address
  • Any personally identifiable information

Encryption Standard

  • Algorithm: AES-128-GCM
  • Key generation: Client-side, cryptographically random
  • Transport: HTTPS (TLS 1.3)
  • Storage: Encrypted at rest, auto-deleted after viewing

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