What if quantum computers cracked your passwords tomorrow? Here's how you can protect yourself today.

What if quantum computers cracked your passwords tomorrow? Governments and technology companies continue to invest huge sums of money in developing this technology. At the current rate, experts estimate that in a couple of decades (or even less) Modern cryptography will be a piece of cake for a quantum computerIf that's the way things are going, what can we do today to protect ourselves? Let's see.

Will quantum computers be able to crack your passwords tomorrow?

Will quantum computers be able to crack your passwords tomorrow? This is a question we don't ask ourselves every day, but with an answer that should concern us. It is: Quantum computing is getting closer to changing the world as we know it.Among the things that could change is the way we protect our data and digital information.

Imagine waking up one morning to discover that the encryption systems protecting your personal data, bank accounts, and communications have been compromised by a quantum computer. While this hasn't happened yet, it's a perfectly possible scenario due to the enormous processing capacity that these devices have (and will have)Quantum computers can now solve problems that previously seemed impossible, and its potential seems to have no boundaries.

In fact, Experts are already talking about it Q-Day, that is, the day when quantum computers are advanced enough to break current encryption systems. While waiting for that moment, work is already underway on post-quantum cryptography to ensure the security of digital data. And what can we do today to protect ourselves? First, we need to understand why quantum computing represents a potential threat to digital security.

How quantum computers work

Understanding how quantum computers work is a very complex task, even for experts in the field. To get an idea of ​​how advanced they are, just compare its operation with that of a traditional computer, the one we have at home.

Home computers run on bits (a bit is the most basic unit of information in a computer) that They can only have two possible values: 0 or 1The combination of these bits allows the computer to perform calculations, execute all kinds of instructions, and represent complex information.

Instead, Quantum computers work with qubits (quantum bits), which have unique properties that make them much more powerful than traditional bits. For example:

• Overlap: Unlike bits, which can only have values ​​of 0 or 1, a qubit can be in a combination of both states at the same time. This allows quantum computers to perform multiple calculations simultaneously.
• entanglement: The bits are combined, but the qubits are entangled, meaning that the state of one is tied to the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. Thanks to this property, quantum operations are executed very quickly, almost instantly.
• Quantum interference: Qubits can manipulate their state probabilities to improve their computing power and find solutions in record time.

Thanks to these and other unique properties, quantum computers are capable of solving incredibly complex problems in a very short time. They can perform parallel calculations and process information exponentially faster, which is why they are so difficult to achieve. It would take a traditional computer thousands of yearsAnd this is where quantum computing poses a threat to modern cryptographic systems and, therefore, to your passwords.

Why quantum computing is a threat to passwords

Why is quantum computing a threat to the passwords that protect our user accounts? Let's explain it in simple terms. Currently, most of our data is protected by encryption algorithms, that is, mathematical formulas that generate very, very complex keys. The most commonly used algorithms for this are RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman), ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard).

These encryption systems depend on one thing: the difficulty in solving complex mathematical problems or factoring very large numbersBecause this is so difficult to do, a traditional computer would take thousands of years to break a well-configured key. For example, factoring a large number into its prime components is nearly impossible for a normal PC. But on a quantum computer with enough qubits, this task could be completed in a matter of minutes or hours.

Here's the deal: In the future, an attacker with access to a quantum computer will be able to easily break passwords and keys generated with current encryption systems. This claim rests on two assumptions: that advanced quantum computers exist and are easy to acquire for any userThe first is in progress; the second remains to be seen.

How to protect your digital information from quantum advances

Quantum computers cracking your passwords tomorrow It's not something that should keep you awake at night today.To begin with, quantum computers with such capabilities currently do not exist. Furthermore, these devices are highly specialized and expensive, so they are unlikely to be widely available. However, it is a real possibility, at least in the future, and that's why Google, Microsoft, Amazon, banks, and governments are already working on post-quantum encryption systems. And what can ordinary users do to protect their digital information from quantum advances?

• Use longer and more complex passwordsThe longer a password is and contains complex combinations of letters, numbers, and characters, the more secure it is. This is still a good security practice.
• Activate the two factor authentication and use physical security keys to give your encryption systems an extra layer.
• Make sure the services you trust are up to date with advances in quantum security. Also, keep your applications updated to take advantage of the latest improvements in protection.

It's a fact that quantum computers will evolve to the point where they'll be able to break your passwords. But it's also certain that Cryptographic systems will be adapted to provide the necessary security when that time comes. In the meantime, strengthen your passwords, stay tuned for quantum leaps, and, above all, sleep tight.