One-Time Encrypted Link Generator

Generate a one-time, self-destructing encrypted link to securely share confidential files or messages—built using AWS Lambda, S3, API Gateway, and DynamoDB.

Comment

Inspiration

In today's digital world, sharing sensitive information like passwords, access tokens, or private URLs through public platforms (email, chat apps) poses a serious risk of leakage. We wanted to create a secure, simple, and disposable link-sharing tool that self-destructs after a single use — just like a “burn after reading” message.

What It Does

SecureLink is a one-time encrypted link generator that allows users to share secret messages through a self-expiring link. Once the link is opened, the encrypted data is decrypted and immediately deleted — making it impossible to access again.

How We Built It

  • Frontend (React in Colab Preview): Allows users to input a message and receive a unique link.
  • Backend (Python with Flask): Deployed using AWS Lambda with API Gateway integration.
  • Database: We used AWS DynamoDB for temporary, fast-access, serverless storage.
  • Encryption: All messages are encrypted using AES-256 before storage.
  • One-Time Access: Each message is set to self-destruct (delete) once accessed.

We used Google Colab for rapid development, testing, and simulation of the backend, including URL generation and encryption logic.

Challenges We Faced

  • Creating a fully stateless backend using AWS Lambda while managing temporary state (for one-time access).
  • Securing message storage and encryption/decryption without exposing keys or data.
  • Ensuring frontend-backend communication remains secure and the URL can’t be reverse-engineered.
  • Deploying, testing, and simulating AWS Lambda and DynamoDB in Colab for a seamless experience.

What We Learned

  • How to design stateless secure systems.
  • Using AWS Lambda and DynamoDB in serverless architecture.
  • Implementing encryption in practical use-cases.
  • How to integrate Colab for simulating production-level logic.

What's Next?

  • Add optional expiration timers (like 10 mins, 1 hour).
  • Integrate QR code generation for easy mobile sharing.
  • Build a browser extension to generate one-time links quickly.

Built With

Share this project:

Updates

posted an update —

One-time access link that auto-deletes after viewing. AES-256 encryption for secure message handling. Link expiration timer (5 seconds) after first click. Colab-compatible version for testing and showcasing. Basic Flask + HTML frontend for generating and viewing links. How It Works:

  1. User enters a secret message in the form.
  2. App generates an encrypted, unique URL.
  3. On first access, message is shown and link is destroyed.
  4. Refresh = "This link has expired or does not exist" . Built With: Python, Flask, AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, HTML, Colab.

Log in or sign up for Devpost to join the conversation.