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Why Apple added protection against quantum computing when quantum computing doesn’t even exist yet

malware.news Why Apple added protection against quantum computing when quantum computing doesn’t even exist yet

Apple released a new update for nearly all its devices that provides an all-new type of encryption for its iMessages to the point that, in theory, iMessages are now protected against attacks from quantum computers.   This is a little tricky because, as we’ve covered before, quantum compute...

Why Apple added protection against quantum computing when quantum computing doesn’t even exist yet
        <p><img alt="Why Apple added protection against quantum computing when quantum computing doesn’t even exist yet" src="https://blog.talosintelligence.com/content/images/2024/02/threat-source-newsletter-4.jpg" width="" height=""></p><p>Apple released a new update for nearly all its devices that provides an all-new type of encryption for its iMessages to the point that, in theory, iMessages are now protected against attacks from quantum computers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This is a little tricky because, as we’ve covered before, <a href="https://blog.talosintelligence.com/on-radar-is-2022-year-encryption-is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quantum computers don’t exist yet</a>, and we don’t really know when they might.&nbsp;</p><p>Apple’s newest encryption technology, <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/apple-pq3-post-quantum-encryption/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called PQ3</a>, now secures iMessages with end-to-end encryption that is quantum-resistant. Signal, the secure messaging app of choice for many, launched quantum-resistant encryption for its service in September with its protocol called <a href="https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/09/signal-preps-its-encryption-engine-for-the-quantum-doomsday-inevitability/2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PQXDH</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://security.apple.com/blog/imessage-pq3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In a blog post</a>, Apple called this update the “most significant cryptographic security[...]
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1 comments
  • I don't get why this is a question people have. Should Apple have waited to include quantum-secure encryption until after they're already able to crack messages? Of course they're going to release stronger encryption knowing it will be needed in the future.