For better or worse, a sea change is coming our way in about 20 years.
Currently, encryption is based on ever-more complex algorithms and lengthy, complex keys. The better algorithms are now using 512-bit and larger keys, and I'm sure it will be in the multiple-k range before we know it.
Some of ciphertext is now supposed to take a quadrillion TO THE QUADRILLION operations to crack, rendering decryption without the key almost an impossibility.
EXCEPT that quantum computing is on the horizon. While conventional computing deals with bits set to one or zero, a quantum computer can view the bits simultanously as one, zero, and every state in between. Take a minute and let that sink in.
This will revolutionize everyone's ability to decipher text. I think I heard that the quadrillion ^ quadrillion operations mentioned above will be reduced to SIXTY. I said that right. SIXTY. With quantum computers, ciphertext can be cracked in fewer steps than it took to encrypt it in the first place.
And what are we going to do then? I don't know. But it sure is going to be hard to keep a secret.
Gold is $1,581/oz today. When it hits $2,000, it will be up 26.5%. Let's see how long that takes. - De 3/11/2013 - ANSWER: 7 Years, 5 Months
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