FileHider - Secure File Management System

A robust desktop application for secure file hiding and management with user authentication, email-based OTP verification, and encrypted file storage.

🚀 Features

Core Functionality

• Secure File Hiding: Hide sensitive files with encrypted storage in MySQL database
• User Authentication: Email-based login with OTP verification
• File Management: View, hide, and unhide files with detailed metadata
• Real-time Updates: Dynamic file list updates with progress indicators
• Cross-platform: JavaFX-based GUI for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Security Features

• Email OTP Verification: Two-factor authentication via email
• Encrypted Storage: Files stored as encrypted binary data in database
• Session Management: Secure user sessions with automatic logout
• Input Validation: Comprehensive email and file validation

User Interface

• Modern GUI: Clean, responsive JavaFX interface
• Intuitive Navigation: Easy-to-use welcome screen and main dashboard
• File Table View: Sortable table with file details and actions
• Progress Indicators: Visual feedback for file operations
• Status Notifications: Real-time status updates and error handling

🏗️ Architecture

Technology Stack

• Backend: Java 21 with JavaFX for GUI
• Database: MySQL 8.0+ with JDBC connectivity
• Email Service: JavaMail API with Gmail SMTP
• Build Tool: Apache Maven
• Architecture Pattern: MVC (Model-View-Controller)

Project Structure

FileHider/
├── src/
│   ├── main/
│   │   ├── java/
│   │   │   ├── org/example/filehider/
│   │   │   │   └── FileHiderApp.java          # Main application entry point
│   │   │   ├── model/
│   │   │   │   ├── User.java                  # User entity model
│   │   │   │   └── Data.java                  # File data model
│   │   │   ├── views/
│   │   │   │   ├── fx/
│   │   │   │   │   ├── WelcomeController.java # Welcome screen controller
│   │   │   │   │   └── MainController.java    # Main application controller
│   │   │   │   ├── Welcome.java               # Welcome view
│   │   │   │   └── UserView.java              # User view
│   │   │   ├── service/
│   │   │   │   ├── SendOTPService.java        # Email OTP service
│   │   │   │   ├── GenerateOTP.java           # OTP generation utility
│   │   │   │   └── UserService.java           # User business logic
│   │   │   ├── dao/
│   │   │   │   ├── UserDAO.java               # User data access
│   │   │   │   └── DataDAO.java               # File data access
│   │   │   └── db/
│   │   │       └── MyConnection.java          # Database connection
│   │   └── resources/
│   │       ├── fxml/
│   │       │   ├── welcome.fxml               # Welcome screen layout
│   │       │   └── main.fxml                  # Main application layout
│   │       └── css/
│   │           └── styles.css                 # Application styling
│   └── test/                                  # Test files
├── target/                                    # Compiled classes
├── pom.xml                                    # Maven configuration
├── run-app.bat                               # Windows launcher script
└── README.md                                 # This file

📋 Prerequisites

System Requirements

• Java: OpenJDK 21 or Oracle JDK 21
• MySQL: MySQL Server 8.0 or higher
• Maven: Apache Maven 3.6 or higher
• Email Account: Gmail account for OTP service

Database Setup

1. Install MySQL Server
2. Create a new database:

   CREATE DATABASE filehider;
   USE filehider;

3. Create required tables:

   CREATE TABLE users (
       id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
       name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
       email VARCHAR(255) UNIQUE NOT NULL
   );
   
   CREATE TABLE data (
       id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
       name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
       path VARCHAR(500) NOT NULL,
       email VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
       bin_data LONGTEXT,
       created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
   );

🛠️ Installation & Setup

1. Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/FileHider.git
cd FileHider

2. Configure Database Connection

Edit src/main/java/db/MyConnection.java:

connection = DriverManager.getConnection(
    "jdbc:mysql://localhost:3306/filehider?useSSL=false",
    "your_username",
    "your_password"
);

3. Configure Email Service

Edit src/main/java/service/SendOTPService.java:

String from = "your-email@gmail.com";
// Update the password with your Gmail app password
return new PasswordAuthentication(from, "your-app-password");

4. Build the Project

mvn clean compile

5. Run the Application

Option 1: Using Maven

mvn javafx:run

Option 2: Using Batch File (Windows)

run-app.bat

Option 3: Manual Java Command

java --module-path "path/to/javafx-sdk" \
     --add-modules javafx.controls,javafx.fxml,javafx.base,javafx.graphics \
     -cp "target/classes:path/to/dependencies" \
     org.example.filehider.FileHiderApp

🎯 Usage Guide

First Time Setup

1. Launch Application: Run the application using one of the methods above
2. Sign Up: Click "Sign Up" and enter your name and email
3. Verify Email: Check your email for OTP and enter it in the application
4. Login: Use your email to log in to the application

File Management

1. Hide Files: Click "Hide New File" to select and hide files
2. View Files: All hidden files are displayed in the main table
3. Unhide Files: Click "Unhide" button next to any file to restore it
4. Refresh: Use "Refresh" button to update the file list

Security Features

• OTP Verification: Every login requires email OTP verification
• Session Management: Automatic logout for security
• File Encryption: Files are stored encrypted in the database

🔧 Configuration

Database Configuration

• Host: localhost:3306
• Database: filehider
• SSL: Disabled for local development

Email Configuration

• SMTP Server: smtp.gmail.com
• Port: 465
• Security: SSL/TLS enabled
• Authentication: Gmail app password required

Application Settings

• Window Size: 800x600 (minimum 600x400)
• File Size Limit: No explicit limit (limited by database)
• Supported File Types: All file types

🧪 Testing

Unit Tests

mvn test

Manual Testing Checklist

• User registration with email verification
• User login with OTP
• File hiding functionality
• File unhiding functionality
• File list refresh
• Error handling for invalid inputs
• Database connection stability
• Email service reliability

🚨 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Database Connection Error

Error: Connection refused
Solution: Ensure MySQL server is running and credentials are correct

Email OTP Not Received

Error: OTP not sent
Solution: Check Gmail app password and SMTP settings

JavaFX Runtime Error

Error: JavaFX runtime components are missing
Solution: Ensure JavaFX dependencies are properly configured in pom.xml

File Permission Error

Error: Access denied when hiding/unhiding files
Solution: Run application with appropriate file system permissions

Debug Mode

Enable debug logging by setting system properties:

java -Djavafx.debug=true -Dmail.debug=true org.example.filehider.FileHiderApp

🔒 Security Considerations

Data Protection

• Files are stored as encrypted binary data
• Database connections use prepared statements
• User passwords are not stored (OTP-based authentication)

Email Security

• Uses Gmail app passwords (not regular passwords)
• SSL/TLS encryption for email transmission
• OTP expiration (implemented in service layer)

File System Security

• Original files are deleted after hiding
• File paths are validated before processing
• Temporary files are properly cleaned up

📈 Performance Optimization

Database Optimization

• Indexed email fields for faster queries
• Prepared statements for query optimization
• Connection pooling for better resource management

Memory Management

• Streaming file operations for large files
• Proper resource cleanup in DAO layer
• Background task execution for UI responsiveness

🤝 Contributing

Development Setup

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch: git checkout -b feature-name
3. Make your changes and test thoroughly
4. Commit your changes: git commit -m 'Add feature'
5. Push to the branch: git push origin feature-name
6. Submit a pull request

Code Style

• Follow Java naming conventions
• Use meaningful variable and method names
• Add comments for complex logic
• Maintain consistent indentation

Testing Requirements

• Add unit tests for new features
• Test database operations
• Verify email functionality
• Test UI components

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

👥 Authors

• Soumya Srivastav - GitHub

🙏 Acknowledgments

• JavaFX team for the excellent GUI framework
• MySQL team for the robust database system
• JavaMail API for email functionality
• Maven community for build automation

📞 Support

For support and questions:

• Create an issue on GitHub

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Note: This application is designed for educational and personal use. For production deployment, additional security measures and proper infrastructure setup are recommended.