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When you use decentralized storage through Zark, you’re accessing Walrus and Seal through a streamlined interface that handles the complexity while giving you full control.

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Uploading to Decentralized Storage

When you upload a file and select decentralized storage with encryption:
1

File encryption

Your file is encrypted on your device before leaving your browser
2

Specify access rules

You specify access rules (or accept defaults for your shared space)
3

Upload to Walrus

The encrypted file is uploaded to Walrus and distributed across storage nodes
4

Store file reference

Zark stores the file reference so you can access it from your shared space
From your perspective, this feels like a normal file upload with a few extra options. The distributed encoding, blockchain transactions, and key server coordination happen invisibly. See Architecture & Data Flow for technical details.

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Accessing Encrypted Files

When you or an authorized team member opens an encrypted file, Zark handles the decryption workflow automatically:
1

Retrieve encrypted file

Zark retrieves the encrypted file from Walrus’s storage network
2

Request decryption keys

Your browser contacts Seal’s key servers requesting decryption keys
3

Verify identity and policy

Key servers verify your identity and check the access policy
4

Release decryption keys

If authorized, key servers release decryption keys
5

Local decryption

Your browser decrypts the content locally
The decrypted content is only ever present on your device. It’s never transmitted unencrypted or stored in decrypted form on any server. See Security, Encryption & Access Control for security details.

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Sharing and Collaboration

Sharing encrypted files requires granting access through Seal. When you share a file with a colleague, Zark updates the access policy to include them. They can then request decryption, and the system verifies their authorization before releasing keys. You can also revoke access at any time. When you remove someone from an access policy, the system will no longer release decryption keys to them, even if they previously had access. Without the keys, the stored data cannot be decrypted. See Security, Encryption & Access Control for details on access control.

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Storage Options in Zark

When uploading files through Zark, you can choose between:
  • Standard cloud storage for everyday working files
  • Walrus decentralized storage for enhanced resilience and ownership
  • Walrus with Seal encryption for sensitive data requiring access control
Most users find that a mix of storage options works best, with everyday files in standard storage and important archives or sensitive materials on decentralized storage with encryption.