Online security boosted by new quantum computing technology

Monday, July 16, 2018 - 10:43 by Mike Price

Researchers at cyber security firm, Quantum Base, have apparently come up with a new kind of random number generator that takes advantage of the complexities of the quantum world and applies them to providing unbreakable encryption.

CSO reports that the company has apparently developed the first ever system that can generate truly random numbers, avoiding a lot of the predictability that is inevitable with the traditional techniques used to come up with these codes.

It seems almost impossible for average internet users to get to grips with the concepts behind the quantum random number generator (QRNG) that has been created, but the implications could be huge and will have a widespread impact on cyber security and safe shopping online.

This tech is tied into blockchain solutions, which are used to power crypto-currencies like Bitcoin. There have already been moves towards integrating blockchain with e-commerce, allowing super-secure transactions to be carried out in a completely anonymous way.

This will not only improve security, but also give consumers complete privacy whenever they  shop online.

Furthermore the QRNG platform that Quantum Base has designed is compact and inexpensive, which means it should be simple to integrate with a wide range of gadgets, from laptops and PCs to smartphones and tablets. This will speed up its rollout and adoption, at least if it receives the backing of the major manufacturers in these fields.

This is not just about keeping people safe when they shop online, but about providing security in a range of scenarios, from instant messaging to buying a lottery ticket.

Randomness is important to most types of encryption, but upping the ante with a generator that cannot be cracked sounds like a step in the right direction, especially if it is a cost-effective option for retailers to adopt.