Migrating encrypted data across devices or restoring critical credentials following operating system reinstalls requires a seamless, mathematically secure ingestion engine. A cryptographic restore process must verify file schema authenticity, validate authenticated encryption tags, and confirm that no malicious payload injection or file corruption occurred in transit. The Import Backup Tool restores previously exported zero-knowledge vault envelopes (Password Manager, Secure Notes, and Recovery Code Vaults) directly into your local browser storage with cryptographic verification.
The Cryptographic Verification Pipeline During Restoration
When an encrypted JSON backup file is selected, the tool executes a four-stage client-side security pipeline:
- Envelope Schema Validation: Confirms that the file matches the recognized Kriyasya vault envelope format (checking versioning, cryptographic algorithm headers, and base64 structural validity).
- Cryptographic Header Extraction: Extracts the 16-byte PBKDF2 salt, iteration counter (600,000 rounds), and 12-byte AES-GCM Initialization Vector (IV).
- Tamper Detection (GCM Authentication Tag): Unlike older unauthenticated modes (like AES-CBC), AES-GCM includes a 128-bit authentication tag. If even a single byte of the encrypted file was corrupted or maliciously altered, the decryption operation throws a cryptographic authentication exception and aborts immediately, preventing data corruption.
- Decoupled Master Password Independence: Restored vaults preserve their individual master passwords. You can restore an entire multi-vault bundle while maintaining independent master passwords for your Password Manager and your Recovery Code Vault.
Restoration Protocol: Full Bundle vs. Individual Vault Recovery
| Restore Mode | Input File Structure | Restoration Outcome | Best Practice Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Multi-Vault Bundle | Comprehensive backup file containing Password Manager + Secure Notes + Recovery Codes. | Restores all three vaults simultaneously into local storage. Prompts for confirmation before overwriting existing data. | Ideal when setting up a brand-new laptop or secondary workstation from an existing master backup. |
| Individual Tool Restore | Dedicated single-vault export (e.g., Secure Notes Vault only). | Restores only the designated targeted vault, leaving existing credentials in other tools completely untouched. | Ideal for targeted rollbacks or restoring isolated records without disrupting other active credentials. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Importing Vault Backups
What happens if I enter the wrong master password during import?
The Web Cryptography API attempts decryption using the key derived from your entered password. If the password is incorrect, the AES-GCM authentication tag verification fails, and the browser displays an ‘OperationError / Decryption Failed’ alert. Your local vault remains completely intact and unaffected.
Does importing a backup overwrite my existing saved passwords?
Yes. Because our vaults operate on client-side zero-knowledge storage, restoring a backup replaces the current local vault ledger with the backup file’s contents. The tool displays an explicit confirmation dialog listing which vaults will be updated before any data is written.
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