How OneTimeMessage.com Keeps Secrets
Why Double-Layer File Security Is Worth It
OneTimeMessage.com will securely encrypt any file format you upload and give you a one-time link to download or share. That’s already strong protection. For ultimate, defense-in-depth security, we recommend you also zip your file with a password before you upload it. This adds a second, independent lock on your data-so even if someone obtained the encrypted blob from our servers, they still couldn’t open the contents without your ZIP password, which we do not know or store.
What this gives you
- Two layers of encryption: your own ZIP encryption + our server-side encryption (e.g., AES-256-GCM).
- Zero knowledge of your ZIP password: we can’t see or recover the password you chose for the ZIP.
- Safer sharing: the download link is useless without the ZIP password.
Important note on ZIP encryption
Use a tool that supports modern ZIP AES encryption (e.g., AES-256). Avoid legacy “ZipCrypto” options-they’re outdated and weak by today’s standards.
Recommended Workflow (Step-by-Step)
- Create a password-protected ZIP
Put the file(s) into a ZIP archive protected with a strong password (12+ characters or a long passphrase). Verify you can open it locally before uploading. - Share the ZIP password first-via a one-time message
Use OneTimeMessage.com to create a one-time message URL containing only the ZIP password. Send that one-time link to your recipient. When the message shows as used (read once), you know no one else can read it again. - Upload and share the encrypted ZIP link
Upload your password-protected ZIP to OneTimeMessage.com’s file encryption tool. Send the resulting one-time download link to your recipient. They’ll download the file and unlock it using the ZIP password you already shared.
This sequencing ensures the password and the file never travel together and the password is revealed only once.
Why Each Password Should Be Different
- Avoid a single point of failure: if the download link leaks, it’s worthless without the ZIP password. If the ZIP password leaks, it’s still protected by our one-time URL and server-side encryption.
- Contain risk: unique passwords prevent one compromise from exposing past or future files.
- Better auditing & hygiene: if something goes wrong, you can revoke or rotate one thing without affecting others.
Use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords; it’s easier and safer than recycling the same one.
Quick Tips
- Choose strong passwords: long passphrases (e.g., several random words) are easy to remember and hard to guess.
- Use different channels: send the password through a one-time message; send the file link separately.
- Consider IP Lock: for even tighter control, you can restrict a one-time message or link to a known recipient IP address.
- Don’t lose the password: if the recipient forgets the ZIP password, neither we nor anyone else can recover it.
- Test before sharing: open the ZIP locally to confirm the password works and the files extract correctly.
Free ZIP file software (examples; no affiliation):
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Windows
- Bandizip - Free archiver with ZIP password protection.
- macOS
- Keka - Popular, lightweight archiver with encrypted ZIP support.
- Android / ChromeOS
- Install Android apps like RAR or 7-Zip from Google Play to create password-protected ZIPs.
Tip: When available, choose AES-256 encryption for ZIPs and share passwords securely (e.g., via a one-time message). These suggestions are provided for convenience; we have no affiliation with the listed software.
Summary
- OneTimeMessage.com will encrypt any file you upload.
- For maximum security, first ZIP with a password, then upload the ZIP and share via our one-time link.
- Share the ZIP password first via a one-time message, confirm it’s read, then send the encrypted ZIP link.
- Always use different, strong passwords for each transfer. It’s simple, safe, and keeps your data locked down-even if links or servers are compromised.