Proton Mail now supports post-quantum encryption
10 hours ago
- #Post-Quantum Cryptography
- #Email Security
- #Quantum Computing
- Quantum computers are not yet able to break current email encryption, but the threat is significant enough that proactive measures like post-quantum encryption are being adopted.
- Proton Mail now offers optional post-quantum protection for all plans, including free, generating post-quantum-ready keys for new encrypted emails to safeguard against future quantum threats.
- While large-scale quantum computers using algorithms like Shor's could break current RSA and ECC encryption, Proton Mail supports post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to prepare for this future, with PQC keys manageable similarly to existing keys.
- Proton Mail is adding support for OpenPGP v6 to enable modern algorithms, including post-quantum cryptography, and standardizing quantum-safe email across the ecosystem to ensure interoperability between providers.
- Preparing for post-quantum attacks now is crucial because attackers can collect encrypted data today and decrypt it later when quantum capabilities improve, making early migration essential to avoid falling behind.