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Re:Show HN: Decentralized Email and Storage by 01HNNWZ0MV43FF on Tuesday December 31, 2024 @04:45PM (#42562097)
So the emails live on my computer? You don't provide an address?

Is this just a nice GUI replacement for using gpg with eg Gmail?

Re:Show HN: Decentralized Email and Storage by bigs on Tuesday December 31, 2024 @05:50PM (#42562453)
From the FAQ it appears to be similar to Protonmail - emails stored on their servers, however the key “decentralized” difference being that you locally hold the encryption key so any attack on the server can’t decrypt the emails as you hold the key (unlike Protonmail who holds them).

I don’t know the tech details of either product myself I’ve just re-iterated their FAQ entry.

Re:Show HN: Decentralized Email and Storage by cchance on Tuesday December 31, 2024 @10:26PM (#42563724)
I don't think its hosted on their servers, they don't mention that specifically its software, thats why the mac version requires MacFUSE for a secure encrypted drive for the at-rest security
Re:Show HN: Decentralized Email and Storage by userisatester on Wednesday January 01, 2025 @04:20AM (#42564938)
You’re right! Arca isn’t hosted on their servers, it’s software you run locally. The mention of MacFUSE is for creating a secure, encrypted drive on your device, ensuring your data remains protected even at rest.
Re:Show HN: Decentralized Email and Storage by userisatester on Wednesday January 01, 2025 @04:18AM (#42564929)
You’re spot on! Arca encrypts emails locally, and you hold the keys. This means even if servers are attacked, your data stays secure because only you can decrypt it—unlike ProtonMail, where they manage the keys.
Re:Show HN: Decentralized Email and Storage by userisatester on Wednesday January 01, 2025 @04:17AM (#42564922)
Hi thanks for this. Arca doesn’t give you a new email address. It works with the one you already have. Your emails are encrypted on your computer before being sent so only you and the recipient can read them. This way your data stays private and Arca doesn’t rely on storing it on central servers.

Also While Arca simplifies encryption, it’s not just a GUI for GPG. It handles all the complicated parts like key management and encryption automatically so you don’t have to. Think of it as making secure email as easy as regular email but without compromising your privacy.