Summary:
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Quantum Breakthrough
Chinese scientists have reportedly executed the first successful attack on widely used encryption methods with a quantum computer, raising alarms about the security of sensitive data. -
Significant Threat
The researchers warn that this development poses a “real and substantial threat” to critical password protection systems in sectors like banking and military. -
Research Details
Led by Wang Chao from Shanghai University, the team utilized a quantum computer from D-Wave Systems to breach cryptographic algorithms, including Present, Gift-64, and Rectangle. -
SPN Structure Vulnerability
These algorithms are part of the Substitution-Permutation Network (SPN) structure, which underpins the widely utilized Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), including AES-256, deemed military-grade encryption. -
Implications for Cryptography
While quantum computing has been seen as a distant threat to modern cryptography, this study demonstrates a significant advancement that could challenge the effectiveness of established encryption methods.
Read more at: The Quantum Insider