Encryption Key Best Practices
Your encryption key is the foundation of your network's security. Follow these best practices to keep your communications safe.
Creating strong keys
- Use at least 8 characters (longer is better)
- Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
- Avoid common words or personal information
- Don't reuse keys across different networks
Storing keys safely
- Write it down and store in a secure location
- Use a password manager
- Never share keys over unencrypted channels
- Don't store keys in plain text on your device
Sharing keys securely
- Share in person when possible
- Use end-to-end encrypted messaging (like Council itself!)
- Never send keys via email or SMS
- Consider using a password manager's secure sharing feature
Council cannot recover your key
Your encryption key never leaves your device and Council has no way to access it. If you lose your key, you'll need to get it from the network owner. There is no "forgot password" option for encryption keys.
Key rotation
For high-security networks, consider periodically changing your encryption key. This limits the impact if a key is ever compromised. When you change a key, all network members will need the new key to continue accessing messages.