SafeNotes v1.4.0

Minor Release:

This change is relatively small and mainly consists of various bug fixes.

• Reworked how SafeNotes manages the settings file.
• Fixed a bug that would paste a blank edit for entries without dates.
• Various other random bug fixes.

SafeNotes v1.3.8

Major Release:

This version of SafeNotes adds an extra layer of security, which is optional, to your account to help ensure unwanted access will not happen, as well as various other quality of life updates and bug fixes.

1. Experimental PIN to log in: This is still experimental; however, the option to require a PIN at log in has been added to SafeNotes.
2. Ability to turn off notifications: You can now turn off notifications in SafeNotes.
3. Changed how resetting your account works: You no longer have to close SafeNotes to reset your account manually; you get asked if you want to reset automatically or not.
4. Added informative text to settings: Now labels explain what select settings do within SafeNotes.
5. Added an encrypt entries button to settings: This setting allows you to put SafeNotes into lockdown mode. When in lockdown mode, all entries will go through the re-encryption phase and be removed from the Journal Entries tab, which will not allow you to add new entries or import or export entries.
6. Password strength indicator when registering: Users will now be given an indicator on how strong their passwords are when creating their account. The levels range from 0/1 (weak stage) upwards to 5 (extremely secure), and you will also be given estimate on how long it would take to brute force said password.

SafeNotes v1.3.7

Major Release:

This will be the last and FINAL time the hands of version control will reset your user data.

This is one of the most significant updates SafeNotes has ever had; we have overhauled SafeNotes and redone the entire backend on how SafeNotes loads and saves settings and journal entries. This was all to create a more streamlined version control that does not mess up your entries; just be sure to import the automatically exported entries and keep the same password as before the update in case your entries do get removed.

1. Completely overhauled how settings save and apply.
   SafeNotes no longer uses the built-in WinForms settings directory. We have implemented a separate JSON file that loads settings from appsettings.json within the SafeNotes leading directory.
2. Implemented a backup method when SafeNotes automatically updates.
   A. This method requires you to know what password was set when these entries were automatically exported, and thus means if your password resets on update, you must reuse that password to recover these entries.
   B. The automatic backup will export your entries into the SafeNotes executable file directory.
3. Fix a bug where SafeNotes can go into an endless cycle of calling the MainForm_FormClosing method.
4. Added the ability to import & export entries.
5. If an entry is not decrypted and errors out, the entry will be removed from your SafeNotes entries list.
6. Fixed a bug where SafeNotes would double save entries into the application settings.
7. Added more support for Password Managers; we doubled the number supported. NOTE: Just because it is not "supported" does not mean you can not save your password yourself. Our system just automatically detects that the password manager is installed on your system.
8. Various other minor bug fixes and quality of life updates.

Full Changelog: v1.3.6...v1.3.7

v1.3.6

Major Release:

1. Enhanced Encryption and Decryption:
   Improved encryption and decryption methods using AES with random salt and IV.
   Added error handling for cryptographic and general exceptions during encryption and decryption.
2. User Interface Enhancements:
   Improved visibility and interaction of UI elements based on user actions (e.g., showing/hiding buttons, updating labels).

Bug Fixes:

1. Form Closing Behavior:
   Fixed an issue where SafeNotes would allow you to close the application during decryption.
2. Password Handling:
   Fixed issues with password registration and login, ensuring proper hashing and verification.
3. General Improvements:
   Improved error handling and user feedback for various actions.
   Enhanced overall stability and performance of the application.

And many various bug fixes and general improvements.
All these changes enhance the functionality, security, and user experience of the SafeNotes application.

DISCLAIMER

All user data will be lost with an update to this version.

Why is this data lost?

We made changes to how your password is hashed and stored which required a new method to check your passwords to compare what you typed to the hashed password. In doing this: Passwords that were set before this change will no longer compare properly and will yield no help. Also, because the password is required for the decryption key, and the hash and salt being different; you will no longer be able to decrypt your entries.

What will be implemented in the future to change this?

I will look into adding an option to export entries in plaintext just for the migration process and then allow you to reimport those entries into SafeNotes after it has updated to encrypt again. A more secure option might also be used; I think this will be the next update.

Full Changelog: v1.3.5...v1.3.6

v1.3.5

Major Release:

1. This version has added ENCRYPTION to your Entries
2. This version also has added HASHING to your password
3. Various bug fixes
4. Limited Entries to 100 - This is to ensure the application remains responsive on weaker systems; feel free to edit as you wish, the variable name is "MaxEntries"

DISCLAIMER

SafeNotes ONLY works on Windows; also, it is advised NOT to exit SafeNotes when DECRYPTING files on load, as doing so will cause the loss of entries.