Chinese Researchers Use Quantum Computer to Breach Crypto Encryption

Chinese researchers have reportedly made a significant breakthrough in the world of encryption using quantum computing. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on October 11, a team led by Wang Chao from Shanghai University used a quantum computer developed by Canada’s D-Wave Systems to breach cryptographic algorithms. This marks a major development in the potential threat quantum computers pose to encryption systems used in banking and cryptocurrency.

Quantum Computer Targets Widely Used Encryption Algorithms

The researchers focused their efforts on the Present, Gift-64, and Rectangle algorithms, which are key components of the Substitution-Permutation Network (SPN) structure. This structure supports the advanced encryption standards (AES) used to protect cryptocurrency wallets. While AES-256 is one of the most secure encryption methods available today, quantum computers could soon pose a significant risk, with the potential to undermine traditional password-protection mechanisms.

Quantum Annealing: A New Technique for Encryption Breaches

Wang’s team utilized a process known as quantum annealing, which is similar to an artificial intelligence algorithm used to optimize global solutions. Unlike traditional algorithms that explore every possible path, quantum annealing leverages quantum tunneling, allowing particles to pass through barriers rather than over them. This enables the quantum computer to find solutions more efficiently by bypassing obstacles that standard methods struggle to overcome.

First Substantial Threat from Quantum Computing

“This is the first time that a real quantum computer has posed a real and substantial threat to multiple full-scale SPN structured algorithms in use today,” Wang’s team noted. While the advancement is significant, the researchers acknowledged that limitations, such as environmental factors and hardware constraints, still prevent a full-scale quantum hack from being a reality at this time.

Limitations and Future Concerns for Cryptography

Although the attack did not expose specific passcodes, the researchers made greater progress than any previous attempts. They warned that future developments in quantum computing could lead to more effective breaches and expose vulnerabilities in current cryptographic systems. For now, the limitations of quantum computing hardware and the challenge of creating a universal attack algorithm offer some protection against immediate threats.

Vitalik Buterin Suggests a Solution for Blockchain Security

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has already suggested ways to mitigate future risks from quantum computing. In a March post on X, Buterin proposed a hard fork of the Ethereum blockchain to protect user funds. While the process would require users to download new wallet software, Buterin assured that few would lose their assets in the transition. He also noted that the infrastructure for such a hard fork could begin to be developed "tomorrow".

What This Means Moving Forward

This breakthrough serves as a wake-up call for the cryptography and blockchain industries, highlighting the imminent threat posed by quantum computing. While limitations still exist, advancements in this field could lead to the discovery of new vulnerabilities in current encryption methods, prompting the need for stronger, quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions. The race to safeguard digital assets from quantum attacks has already begun.