Google Anti-Hacking Experiment: Post-Quantum Cryptology Beta-Test Open, Anyone Can Participate

Google post-quantum cryptography, the key exchange in Chrome, is currently being tested. It serves as the solution to protecting people from future hacking attempts.

The Google is currently using New Hope, a post-quantum algorithm. Google software engineer Matt Braithwaite, wrote in a blog on Thursday that a New Hope experiment is being conducted in Chrome where a tiny fraction between desktop Chrome and Google server connections. The experiment will use the post-quantum key exchange algorithm in addition to the elliptical curve used. He said it may be too early for the New Hope, but it will be beneficial for the security of users in the future.

Google post-quantum cryptology gives protection to users in the future from potential hackers, but might be susceptible to current computers also. Google is currently using the elliptical curve algorithm, which may be worthless against quantum computers of the future, but serves as the best for computers today, Info World reported.

Google post-quantum cryptology, for most Chrome users, may not mean anything because they are not part of the test. Those who want to be a part of the beta test with a post-quantum key exchange algorithm should install the current Chrome Canary. To be able to make sure that the post-quantum cryptology is activated, users have to go to the HTTPS secured page and click the lock icon near the URL address bar, then "details" and check if the key exchange starts with for the CECPQ1.

Post-quantum cryptography means that it will serve security against attacks made by quantum computers. If quantum computers are the future, reportedly it can be used to break the cryptographic protocol that serves as a foundation of the HTTPS. The worse part, future quantum computers might have the ability to retroactively decrypt current internet communications.

Quantum cryptology is a difficult concept to grab, but to better understand quantum computers use the basic principles of quantum physics. It dictates the behavior of subatomic particles which makes them perform tasks much faster than a transistor-based computer.

Google post-quantum cryptology aims to end the experiment in two years' time.