Help & Documentation

🚀 Getting Started

TheSecureNote is a private, encrypted notepad that works entirely in your browser. Your notes are encrypted with a password that only you know, ensuring complete privacy.

Choose Your Tier

💚 Free Tier (Username)

The free tier is perfect for getting started. You can create unlimited notes and sections without any cost.

Subdomain Activation

A subdomain gives you a memorable, professional URL for your notes. It's a one-time payment of $9.99 and yours forever.

Why Choose a Subdomain?

• More memorable URL: john.thesecurenote.com instead of thesecurenote.com/john
• Professional appearance for business or personal branding
• Easier to share with others
• Shows commitment to privacy and security
• Priority support included

How to Activate Your Subdomain

🏷️ Custom Domain Setup

Use your own domain for complete white-label branding. Perfect for businesses, professionals, or personal brands.

Prerequisites

• You must own a domain (e.g., from GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.)
• Access to your domain's DNS settings
• One-time payment of $99

Setup Process

DNS Configuration Details

You'll need to add a CNAME record pointing your domain to our service. Here's what the email will contain:

What each field means:

• Type: CNAME – This creates an alias for your domain
• Name: The subdomain you want to use (e.g., "notes" for notes.yourdomain.com, or "@" for yourdomain.com)
• Value: The target provided in your email (typically our proxy server)
• TTL: Time to Live – Use 3600 (1 hour) or Auto

Popular DNS Providers

Click on your DNS provider to see setup instructions:

Troubleshooting DNS Issues

• Changes not taking effect? DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours. Use DNSChecker.org to monitor propagation.
• Certificate errors? SSL certificates are issued automatically but may take 10-15 minutes after DNS propagation.
• Wrong page showing? Clear your browser cache or try in incognito/private mode.
• Still having issues? Contact our support team with your domain name and setup code from the email.

🔑 Password Management

Your password is the key to your encrypted notes. Understanding how it works is crucial for your security.

How Password Encryption Works

TheSecureNote uses client-side encryption, which means:

• Your password never leaves your browser
• Encryption happens on your device before data is sent to our servers
• We store only encrypted data—we cannot read your notes
• Even if our servers were compromised, your notes remain encrypted

Password Best Practices

• Use a strong, unique password – At least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
• Don't reuse passwords – Use a different password than your other accounts
• Consider a passphrase – e.g., "Coffee-Mountain-Piano-2025!" is both strong and memorable
• Use a password manager – Store your TheSecureNote password in a password manager for safekeeping
• Write it down securely – If needed, write it on paper and store in a safe place

What If I Forget My Password?

Changing Your Password

To change your password:

1. Open your notebook and enter your current password to unlock it
2. Click the settings icon in the top right
3. Select "Change Password"
4. Enter your current password, then your new password twice
5. All your notes will be re-encrypted with the new password

Using the Same Password on Multiple Devices

Yes! Your notes are stored encrypted on our servers. When you enter your password on any device, it decrypts your notes locally. You can access your notes from:

• Any web browser on desktop or mobile
• Different computers
• Tablets and smartphones

Just remember: you must use the same password on all devices to access the same encrypted notes.

✨ Features & Security

Security Features

Productivity Features

• Unlimited Sections – Organize notes into sections like Passwords, Ideas, To-dos, Projects, etc.
• Rich Text Editing – Format your notes with headers, lists, code blocks, and more
• Auto-save – Your changes are saved automatically as you type
• Cross-device Sync – Access your notes from any browser on any device
• Offline Capable – PWA support allows viewing notes offline (coming soon)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

• How secure is TheSecureNote?

  TheSecureNote uses military-grade AES-256-GCM encryption with PBKDF2 key derivation. Your password never leaves your browser, and all encryption happens client-side. We use a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning we cannot read your notes even if we wanted to. The same encryption standard is used by banks, governments, and militaries worldwide.

• Can you read my notes?

  No. Absolutely not. Your notes are encrypted with your password on your device before being sent to our servers. We only store encrypted data, and we don't have your password. Even if our servers were compromised, your notes would remain encrypted and unreadable.

• What if I forget my password?

  Unfortunately, if you forget your password, your notes cannot be recovered. This is a consequence of true zero-knowledge encryption. There is no password reset option, and we cannot recover your notes. We recommend using a password manager or writing down your password in a secure location.

• How do I change my password?

  To change your password: (1) Unlock your notebook with your current password, (2) Click the settings icon, (3) Select "Change Password", (4) Enter your current password and new password. All your notes will be automatically re-encrypted with the new password.

• Can I use the same password on multiple devices?

  Yes! Your encrypted notes are stored on our servers. When you visit your notebook URL from any device and enter your password, your notes are decrypted locally on that device. Use the same password on all devices to access the same notes.

• How long does DNS propagation take?

  DNS propagation typically takes 5-30 minutes for most providers. In some cases, it can take up to 24-48 hours for DNS changes to fully propagate worldwide. You can check propagation status using online tools like DNSChecker.org. SSL certificates are issued automatically after DNS propagates, which may add another 10-15 minutes.

• What DNS records do I need to set for a custom domain?

  You'll need to create a CNAME record pointing to our proxy server. The exact values will be provided in the email you receive after purchasing the custom domain tier. Generally, you'll set Type=CNAME, Name=your subdomain (e.g., "notes"), and Value=the target we provide. See the Custom Domain Setup section above for detailed provider-specific instructions.

• Is there a refund policy?

  Due to the instant digital nature of our service (subdomains and custom domains are activated immediately upon payment), we generally cannot offer refunds. However, if you experience technical issues preventing you from using your subdomain or custom domain, please contact support and we'll work to resolve the issue or discuss options.

• Do you offer a mobile app?

  TheSecureNote is a Progressive Web App (PWA), which means it works great on mobile browsers and can be installed to your home screen for an app-like experience. We don't currently have native iOS or Android apps, as the web version provides the same functionality with better cross-platform compatibility.

• What happens to my notes if TheSecureNote shuts down?

  We're committed to providing TheSecureNote for the long term. In the unlikely event we need to shut down, we'll provide at least 90 days notice and offer an export feature so you can download your notes. Your notes remain encrypted with your password, so you'd be able to decrypt them using standard AES-256-GCM decryption tools.

💬 Support

Need help? We're here for you.

Getting Help

• Check this documentation first – Most questions are answered here
• Review the FAQ section – Common issues and solutions above
• Email support – For paid tiers (subdomain/custom domain), email support is included

Before Contacting Support

To help us help you faster, please have the following ready:

• Your URL (username, subdomain, or custom domain)
• Description of the issue
• Your browser and operating system
• Screenshots if applicable
• For custom domains: Your setup code from the email