“We demonstrate the algorithm experimentally by factoring integers up to 48 bits with 10 superconducting qubits,” they explained. Theoretically, this means that if it’s scaled up, this technique could be used to crack most encryption systems in use today. RSA is a commonly used cryptosystem that helps to safeguard online privacy. Banks, e-commerce stores, and many other online platforms use it. Even, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), the standard technology for establishing an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser, is based on the RSA algorithm.
Using Quantum Computers to Crack Encryption
The Chinese authors behind this paper used an algorithm designed by mathematician Claus Schnorr and a procedure called quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) to beat encryption. “We estimate that a quantum circuit with 372 physical qubits and a depth of thousands is necessary to challenge RSA-2048 using our algorithm. Our study shows great promise in expediting the application of current noisy quantum computers, and paves the way to factor large integers of realistic cryptographic significance,” they wrote in the paper. Security experts have since predicted that advancements in quantum computing technology would render most of the current encryption algorithms obsolete. However, there’s still some way to go before that. IBM’s Osprey quantum computer, the world’s most powerful quantum processor, has only 433 qubits. It is expected to be upgraded to over 1000 qubits this year. Researchers believe we need quantum computers with over a million qubits to break RSA. But, according to the Chinese authors, it’s not just about processing power but also about eliminating errors. “Simply increasing the qubit number without reducing the error rate does not help,” Guilu Long, a physicist at Tsinghua University in China, told the Nature journal in an email on behalf of the authors. However, Chao-Yang Lu, a physicist from China’s University of Science and Technology, noted that a 372 qubits system would need to run error-free 99.9999 percent of the time to crack RSA-2048 keys. Meanwhile, other researchers have questioned the technique and expressed doubts that the discovery can be replicated on a larger scale. One researcher described it as “one of the most actively misleading quantum computing papers I’ve seen in 25 years.”
Quantum Technology Could Break the Internet
Although quantum technology is still in its infancy, it is already a source of concern for security experts and policymakers. In October 2022, the White House released a memorandum highlighting the importance of investing in research programs related to quantum technology. The memorandum also revealed that authorities will start upgrading vital computer systems with “quantum-resistant cryptography.” Researchers are working to develop cutting-edge quantum-resistant encryption. But there’s still the ever-present possibility that quantum algorithms would also be able to crack those. If this happens, everyone’s “confidence in digital infrastructure would collapse,” Michele Mosca, a mathematician at the University of Waterloo in Canada, said. “It won’t be pretty any way you slice it.” For now, it’s advisable to use multiple layers of security to safeguard your online accounts. We recommend using secure passwords and activating two-factor authentication on all your accounts. And remember to keep your most sensitive login information offline, preferably on a piece of paper.
