The mechanics of Pay-to-Unlock
Pay-to-unlock file sharing is a system that cryptographically links the availability of a digital asset to a successful financial transaction. It acts as a bridge between your deliverable and your bank account.
Step 1: Secure Hosting
When you upload a file to LinkVault, it is encrypted using AES-256-GCM. The raw file is safely stored in our secure vault, completely inaccessible from the public internet.
Step 2: The View-Only Interface
LinkVault generates a unique, secure viewer link. This link loads an application that can display a watermarked, low-resolution, or restricted preview of your document. The client can see that the work is completed, but they cannot extract the source file.
Step 3: The Stripe Gateway
Embedded directly into the viewer is a Stripe Checkout session. When the client enters their payment details, the transaction is processed directly into your connected Stripe account.
Step 4: Automated Unlocking
The moment the payment clears, Stripe sends a secure webhook to LinkVault's servers. LinkVault instantly generates a decrypted, time-limited download URL and presents it to the client. The entire process takes less than a second, requiring zero manual intervention from you.
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