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Time Running Out for Public Key Encryption

Posted by Zonk on from the interesting-times-are-upon-us dept.

holy_calamity writes "Two research teams have independently made quantum computers that run the prime-number-factorising Shor's algorithm — a significant step towards breaking public key cryptography. Most of the article is sadly behind a pay-wall, but a blog post at the New Scientist site nicely explains how the algorithm works. From the blurb: 'The advent of quantum computers that can run a routine called Shor's algorithm could have profound consequences. It means the most dangerous threat posed by quantum computing - the ability to break the codes that protect our banking, business and e-commerce data - is now a step nearer reality. Adding to the worry is the fact that this feat has been performed by not one but two research groups, independently of each other. One team is led by Andrew White at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and the other by Chao-Yang Lu of the University of Science and Technology of China, in Hefei.'"

10 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. That is nothing by MyLongNickName · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have developed an algorithm to efficiently decrypt ROT-26. You will need to use it to read this encrypted message.

    --
    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
    1. Re:That is nothing by syrinx · · Score: 4, Funny

      I have developed an algorithm to efficiently decrypt ROT-26. You will need to use it to read this encrypted message.

      The joke is on you: I've already upgraded all my encryption to ROT-52.

      --
      Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
    2. Re:That is nothing by ookabooka · · Score: 4, Funny

      ROT52 is radically different than ROT26 and has its own problems, triple ROT26 (3ROT26) is much more feasible with today's technology and far easier to implement.

      --
      If you are about to mod me down, keep in mind that this post was most likely sarcastic.
  2. Re:I'm not sure how big of a deal this is. by zippthorne · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...His velocity, however, is known precisely.

    --
    Can you be Even More Awesome?!
  3. Re:Yeah, but... by Selfbain · · Score: 5, Funny

    Depends on the observer.

    --
    Well, it has never been successfully tested.
  4. Re:More like the Chinese gov by koh · · Score: 4, Funny

    Chinese secret services are so secret they don't even have a name. Actually, they don't even need one.

    --
    Karma cannot be described by words alone.
  5. sigh by Ant+P. · · Score: 4, Funny

    I finally went and figured out gpg just this week and it's already about to be obsoleted...

  6. Re:Not the end by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    The quantum computer referenced in the summary managed the immense feat of finding the factors of the number 15. ...well come on then, tell us, what are they?
  7. Re:More like the Chinese gov by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does anyone know the name of the Chinese equivalent of the CIA, KGB and MI6?

    Jet Li.

  8. Re:More like the Chinese gov by Roofus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Right! Well, them and a former college age hacker turned Mob IT manager turned world saviour.

    Think of it Marty. No more rich people, no more poor people, everybody's the same