The day when a quantum computer can crack commonly used forms of encryption is drawing closer. The world isn’t prepared, experts say.

Quantum computers are coming. And when they arrive, they are going to upend the way we protect sensitive data. Unlike classical computers, quantum computers harness quantum mechanical effects — like ...

Online data is generally pretty secure. Assuming everyone is careful with passwords and other protections, you can think of it as being locked in a vault so strong that even all the world’s ...

Random number generators have been around for ages, but they often have subtle imperfections that cause patterns to emerge.

A long-sought “holy grail” in cryptography is poised to change the way we protect sensitive information. Today’s standard encryption schemes take an all-or-nothing approach. Once scrambled, your data ...

Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D ...

A chance meeting during a dip in the ocean was the first step on the road to quantum information science.

Introduction: A revolutionary cipher -- Cryptology before 1500: a bit of magic -- The black chambers: 1500-1776 -- Crypto goes to war: the American Revolution -- Crypto goes to war: the American Civil ...