http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=227300318 By Mathew J. Schwartz InformationWeek September 8, 2010 Norwegian computer scientists have perfected a laser-based attack against quantum cryptography systems that allows them to eavesdrop on communications without revealing their presence. One of the biggest commercial uses for quantum cryptography to date has been to securely exchange keys. Unlike traditional key distribution techniques, using quantum mechanics offers a seemingly foolproof upside: any attempt by an attacker to measure quantum data disturbs it -- per the Heisenberg uncertainty principle -- which a quantum cryptography system can detect, thus ensuring that communications remain secure. Enter the laser. The team of researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen developed a quantum eavesdropping technique that remotely controls the photon detector, which is a key component in most quantum cryptography systems. [...] _______________________________________________________ Subscribe to InfoSec News - www.infosecnews.org http://www.infosecnews.org/mailman/listinfo/isnReceived on Sun Sep 12 2010 - 22:39:39 PDT
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