Hardware Password Manager (Ledger-Style Keyboard Emulator)
I would like to propose the development of a Proton hardware password manager, similar in concept to Ledger (used for crypto), but designed specifically for secure credential storage and input, while fully aligned with Proton's privacy principles.
🔐 Core Concept:
A dedicated, tamper-resistant USB hardware device that:
Stores passwords securely offline
Presents a list of stored usernames only to the user
Prompts the user on-device (via a screen + buttons or touchscreen) to select and approve password entry
Emulates a USB keyboard to type the selected password into the target system (not via clipboard or memory injection)
This way, passwords never reside in system memory, avoiding RAM scraping, clipboard attacks, and keylogging risks on compromised devices.
🎯 Key Benefits:
Zero memory footprint on host device—passwords are never exposed to malware or RAM dump tools
Cross-platform & air-gapped-compatible (works on any device with a USB port)
Reduces reliance on autofill, improving both security and transparency
Could integrate with Proton Pass vault syncing (if optional cloud sync is desired)
Appeals to privacy-conscious users, journalists, and enterprise clients with high-risk profiles
💡 Bonus Features (Optional):
PIN or biometric protection for device access
Support for passkeys/FIDO2/WebAuthn in future firmware
Compatibility with open standards (like KeePass vault formats, for user migration)
Open-source firmware (to align with Proton’s transparency ethos)
🙏 Why This Matters:
Memory-resident password exposure remains a known limitation of even the most secure software-based managers—including Proton Pass. This hardware approach offers users the option of full physical control and zero in-RAM exposure, without compromising usability.
I hope this concept aligns with Proton’s mission to bring user-controlled, privacy-focused solutions to life. Thank you for your continued innovation.
Ashkan
shared this idea
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Jack son commented
A hardware password manager that acts like a keyboard emulator really highlights how much trust we place in typed input and how flexible HID-style devices can be. It also made me think about the other end of the spectrum: how people intentionally use non-standard Unicode characters to change what gets typed or displayed, especially on social platforms. On Instagram, for example, usernames often rely on Unicode styling that still passes through keyboards and emulators cleanly. I’ve been playing with this using a simple Instagram name style generator that outputs copy-paste safe characters https://instanamesstyle.com/. It’s a good reminder that whether it’s security hardware or aesthetic text, keyboards are more expressive than they first appear.
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Da Silva
commented
A Proton-designed USB and NFC FIDO2 security key could bring a new level of confidence and simplicity to everyday digital security.
By offering a first-party hardware key fully integrated into the Proton ecosystem, users would no longer need to rely on third-party tools or navigate fragmented security solutions.
This single, trusted device could seamlessly protect access to Proton services while securely holding essentials like a Proton recovery file.
The result is a more human-centered approach to privacy—one where strong security feels effortless, recovery is stress-free, and users remain fully in control of their digital identity.