Apple Has Upgraded iMessage To Protect The Service For When Quantum Computers Attempt To Compromise Its Security

Apple’s iMessage is one of the most popular communications services in the world, with more than one billion users interacting with each other through various regions. However, that also makes it a paramount target against security threats, and even though quantum computers are several years away from materializing any kind of virtual offense, Apple likely wants to be ready before an event like this occurs. This is why the security layer of iMessage has been upgraded to post-quantum cryptography, and it will be available in iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, and watchOS 10.4.

Quantum computers could easily threaten the current end-to-end encryption of iMessage today, according to Apple

Without the need for quantum-level processing, Apple states in its latest blog post that it has developed a post-quantum cryptographic protocol for iMessage called PQ3, which will protect the service against the most sophisticated cyberattacks. The technology giant also believes that this protocol surpasses every other messaging app out there.

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Current messaging services use encryption through a pair of public and private keys. The public key encrypts sent messages, while the receiver uses the private key to decrypt a message, with the entire process happening under our nose, as it should. This cryptography method uses different math functions to break the encryption. A hacker’s ability to decrypt messages lies in the cryptographic cipher paired with raw computing power, which quantum computers can accomplish.

A capable quantum computer can solve these mathematical problems in different ways, which would make it threaten the current state of iMessage. Thankfully, Apple states that PQ3 will completely replace the existing cryptography protocol within all supported conversations later this year, but users must ensure that their devices are running the latest