HackCrypt

User sign up and login features
Start page
Main Cipher Interface

Inspiration

As high school students, we constantly see a lack of awareness about digital security—people reuse passwords, ignore encryption, and assume privacy is a given. We found that people don't understand how to take responsibility they don't have the context necessary to know what to do and how to do it. We built HackCrypt to change that, making encryption intuitive, educational, and accessible for everyone.

What it does

HackCrypt is a drag-and-drop cryptography sandbox that lets users encrypt, decrypt, and experiment with ciphers in real time. Users can chain ciphers together and get AI-powered explanations for each cipher. Users are also encouraged to encrypt/decrypt larger file. Before you enter the sandbox, we have a login page that allows users to sign up, login, or continue as a guest. This will take you to our start page, where you can enter the main cipher page. In here, you can test and learn about ciphers by dragging them to modify the text that you enter in the appropriate box. You can encode, decode, export, import, and download the data. You can also make use of our Gemini chatbot that allows users to not only see the application of each cipher, but also ask about the context behind each cipher, leading to a more holistic understanding of encryption

How we built it

We developed HackCrypt using Next.js, React, TypeScript, Node.js, and MongoDB, with AI-driven explanations powered by the Gemini API. Our focus was on building a seamless, interactive UI that allows users to intuitively manipulate ciphers while ensuring a secure, serverless experience.

Challenges we ran into

Throughout this project, we gained a deeper understanding of Next.js and backend infrastructure, particularly in handling cryptographic transformations efficiently. We tackled real-world server-side development and deployment challenges, learning how to optimize performance while maintaining security. Designing an intuitive UI/UX for real-time, interactive applications pushed us to think critically about user experience. Additionally, integrating the Gemini API taught us how to leverage AI for educational explanations while keeping response times low.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We successfully built a fully functional, user-friendly encryption tool that makes cryptography interactive and accessible. Despite time constraints, we deployed a working app that not only performs encryption and decryption in real time but also provides AI-powered explanations. One of our biggest achievements was creating an intuitive drag-and-drop system that allows users to experiment with different ciphers effortlessly. Beyond the technical aspects, we’re proud that HackCrypt serves an educational purpose, helping users understand and take responsibility for their digital security. Overcoming complex UI/UX challenges and refining the app’s usability was a major win, proving that security tools don’t have to be intimidating—they can be engaging and user-friendly.

What we learned

What's next for HackCrypt

Moving forward, we plan to integrate blockchain technology to create tamper-proof encryption logs, adding another layer of security and transparency. We’re also exploring encrypted password storage, allowing users to apply encryption principles in a real-world security context. Expanding the cipher library with both historical and modern encryption techniques is another priority, ensuring HackCrypt remains a comprehensive tool for cryptography enthusiasts. Beyond functionality, we aim to enhance the UI/UX further, making real-time cipher manipulation even smoother. We will also add forums to allow users to package and share encryption packages and discuss ciphers. Lastly, we’ll continue optimizing performance and AI explanations, refining how users interact with cryptography in an educational and practical way.