Encrypt Multiple Files in Python Using Fernet

Learn how to easily encrypt a list of files in Python using the `Fernet` encryption module for enhanced security. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/73088119/ asked by the user 'Pork Lord' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14296877/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/73088968/ provided by the user 'viggnah' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/19261326/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions. Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How would I encrypt a list of files in Python using fernet? Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license. If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com. --- Encrypting Files in Python Using Fernet Encryption is a vital process in ensuring the confidentiality of your sensitive data. In the digital age, it is essential to protect your files from unauthorized access. One effective method for file encryption in Python is using the Fernet module from the cryptography library. In this guide, we will explore how to encrypt a list of files in a directory using Fernet encryption. We’ll break this process down into simple steps so that you can implement it in your own projects. Understanding the Problem Suppose you want to create a Python script that encrypts all files in a specified directory (excluding some specific files like your script and the encryption key). This script will ask for a passkey that will be used for the encryption process. The goal here is to provide a secure alternative to traditional file protection methods, like BitLocker. The basic steps to follow in our encryption process are: Generate a key for encryption. Read the contents of each file you want to encrypt. Use the generated key to encrypt the file contents. Save the encrypted content back to the original file. Step-by-Step Solution Let's break down the process into manageable parts. Here’s a comprehensive guide you can follow to encrypt files using Fernet in Python. Step 1: Installing the Required Library Before starting, you need to install the cryptography library if you haven’t already. You can do this via pip: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Step 2: Import Necessary Modules At the beginning of your Python script, import the necessary modules: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Step 3: Generate and Store the Encryption Key Generate a unique key for encrypting files using Fernet. Make sure to store this key safely for future decryption. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Step 4: Create a List of Files to Encrypt Create a list to store the files you want to encrypt. Ensure you skip your script file and the key file itself. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This code snippet will now contain the files ready for encryption. Step 5: Encrypt Each File in the List Now, iterate over your encr_file_list and encrypt each file using the Fernet object you initialized. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] This segment opens each file, reads its content, encrypts it, and then rewrites the file with the encrypted content. Step 6: Decrypting the Files Later, when you want to access your original files, you will need to decrypt them. Here’s how you can achieve that: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Conclusion By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully encrypt a list of files in Python using Fernet. This method not only enhances the security of your files but also ensures you have control over who can access them. Keeping your encryption key in a secure location and backed up will allow you to decrypt your files whenever needed. With growing concerns about data privacy, employing encryption methods such as this can go a long way in protecting your sensitive information. Start implementing this in your projects today!