OneLock

Lock, Hide and encrypt your files with one click.

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🔐 OneLock Project Overview

✨ Inspiration

OneLock was inspired by the need for a simple, secure, and user-friendly file protection solution. Many users struggle with overly complex encryption tools, which led us to create a tool that empowers users to safeguard sensitive files with minimal effort. Our mission: protect privacy in an age of rising digital threats with zero friction.

⚙️ What It Does

OneLock is a PyQt5-based desktop application that enables users to lock and unlock files using a 6-digit PIN.

  • 🔒 Locked files are moved to a hidden directory
  • 📄 Replaced with harmless placeholder files
  • 🖱️ Features a drag-and-drop interface for file locking
  • 🔑 PIN-protected unlocking with custom dialogs
  • 🧰 System tray access for smooth background operation

🏗️ How We Built It

🧪 Tech Stack

  • Language: Python
  • GUI Framework: PyQt5
  • UI Design: Qt Designer (file_locker.ui)
  • Styling: External stylesheet (styles.qss)

🧱 Architecture

  • UniversalFileLocker: Main GUI class using Qt .ui file
  • LoginDialog & UnlockDialog: Custom PIN input dialogs
  • pickle: Persistent storage for PIN & metadata
  • shutil: File movement operations
  • QSystemTrayIcon: System tray integration
  • ctypes: Hidden file attributes (Windows)

🛠️ Development Process

  • Designed UI in Qt Designer
  • Built modular Python code for logic
  • Moved all styles to a .qss file for clean separation

🚧 Challenges We Ran Into

  • 🧩 UI Mapping: Converting code-based UI to .ui files
  • 🎨 Styling: Achieving consistency across dialogs
  • 🗂️ File Security: Managing safe file transfers & hidden paths
  • 🖱️ Drag-and-Drop: Handling MIME data for file URLs
  • 🔐 PIN Storage: Pickle is fast but not secure enough

🏆 Accomplishments We're Proud Of

  • ✅ Clean, modern UI with Qt Designer integration
  • ✅ External styling for scalable GUI management
  • ✅ System tray support for background file protection
  • ✅ Intuitive UX: Drag-and-drop + PIN = smooth operation
  • ✅ Robust error handling with logs and dialogs

📚 What We Learned

  • 💡 Qt Designer workflow + signal mapping
  • 💡 Styling best practices using .qss files
  • 💡 Secure file operations across OS platforms
  • 💡 Importance of user-centric, intuitive design
  • 💡 Value of modular architecture for maintainability

🚀 What's Next for OneLock

  • 🔐 Encrypted PIN storage instead of pickle
  • 🧪 Cross-platform support (macOS, Linux compatibility)
  • 🔒 File encryption layer to protect file contents
  • ☁️ Cloud sync for locked file backup
  • 🎨 UI themes and accessibility improvements
  • 📋 Project templates for knowledge transfer & documentation

🧮 Bonus: Math in OneLock (LaTeX Examples)

We used LaTeX-style math for planning security formulas and design algorithms:

  • Area of secure block:

$$ A = \pi r^2 $$

  • Encryption strength (illustrative formula):

$$ S = 2^k \quad \text{where } k = \text{key length} $$

  • Access threshold condition:

$$ \text{Access Granted} \iff \text{Input PIN} = \text{Stored PIN} $$

✅ Task Checklist

  • [x] Drag-and-drop interface
  • [x] PIN-based file locking
  • [x] System tray operation
  • [x] External .qss styles
  • [ ] Replace pickle with encrypted storage
  • [ ] Add file encryption
  • [ ] Cloud storage sync

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