Expand description
§WHY2
WHY2 is a modern, fast, and secure encryption crate designed for privacy-first applications.
The WHY2 encryption algorithm is loosely inspired by AES, but with a twist. Instead of relying on S-boxes, WHY2 uses a nonlinear ARX-style transformation (Addition, Rotation, XOR) for diffusion. Input and key data are formatted into grids with customizable dimensions. The key is shuffled, seeded, and expanded into round keys, which are then applied to the input grid across multiple rounds.
WHY2 also powers a minimalist chat application built for maximal privacy. It is designed for self-hosting by individuals or small groups — not for large public chat rooms.
§Features
- Grid-based encryption with customizable layout
- ARX-style nonlinear mixing instead of S-boxes
- Round-key generation from seeded, shuffled keys
- Lightweight encrypted chat backend for private deployments
- Maximal customization
§Philosophy
- Privacy is a right, not a subscription feature.
- No government insight: no telemetry, no backdoors, no metadata leakage.
- No payment required: encryption should be free as in freedom.
§Security Disclaimer
WHY2 is an experimental encryption algorithm. While it draws inspiration from established designs like AES, it has not undergone formal cryptographic review or extensive academic analysis.
As such, it should not be considered suitable for high-assurance or production-grade cryptographic applications where proven security guarantees are required. Use at your own discretion, and always evaluate your threat model carefully.
§Versioning Note
All versions with the -rex suffix use the redesigned encryption system introduced in WHY2 v0.2.0-rex.
These builds are not compatible with pre-rex versions and should be treated as a separate lineage.
§License
WHY2 is licensed under the GNU GPLv3. You are free to use, modify, and redistribute it under the terms of the license. See https://www.gnu.org/licenses/ for details.
Modules§
- core
- Core of WHY2 - encryption functions