Basic_chat_application

Encrypted Python Chat Application

A simple encrypted chat application built with Python using sockets, threading, and Fernet symmetric encryption. The project includes a server that handles multiple clients, and a client with a Tkinter GUI to send and receive encrypted messages in real-time.

Features

• Encrypted communication using Fernet symmetric encryption (AES-based)
• Multi-client support via threading on the server
• Tkinter-based GUI client for easy chatting
• Real-time message broadcast to all connected clients
• Simple nickname-based user identification

Prerequisites

• Python 3.6+

• Required packages:

  • cryptography
  • tkinter (usually included with Python)

Install dependencies with:

bash pip install cryptography

How to Run

First, generate the encryption key:

bash python generate_key.py

Then, start the server:

bash python server.py

Finally, start one or more clients (each in a separate terminal window):

bash python client.py

How It Works

• The server listens for incoming connections from clients.
• Clients send their chosen nickname upon connecting.
• All messages are encrypted with the shared key before being sent.
• The server broadcasts encrypted messages to all connected clients.
• Clients decrypt incoming messages and display them in the chat window.

Project Structure

Basic_chat/ │ ├── server.py # Server application ├── client.py # Client application with Tkinter GUI ├── generate_key.py # Script to generate encryption key ├── secret.key # Encryption key file └── README.md # Project documentation