Quantum Physics Used To Create Credit Cards ‘Impossible To Hack’

A team of scientists from the Netherlands claim to have created a credit card that is impossible to hack using quantum physics. The process is called quantum-secure authentication (QSA). The technology, according to the report, uses a strip of nanoparticles on the card that would be virtually impossible to hack.

Discovery News attempts to put the complex process into layman’s terms. Discovery notes that typical credit cards contain information within a magnetic strip or embedded microchip. Both cards can easily be hacked and duplicated if the hacker had the card in hand. Furthermore, magnetic strip cards can easily duplicated if the hacker finds the information stored within the card.

Quantum-secure authentication is completely different as it creates “questions and answers” using the power of light.

“With the quantum security system, the card’s nanoparticle strip would be zapped with a laser in such a way as to create a unique pattern that’s impossible to crack. That’s because the system harnesses the qualities of light in the quantum state, in which photons can exist in multiple places at the same time. The event that created the pattern could never be duplicated or observed.”

The lead author, Pepijn Pinkse, attempts to explain the complex nanoparticles by using a bowling ball analogy.

“It would be like dropping 10 bowling balls onto the ground and creating 200 separate impacts. It’s impossible to know precisely what information was sent (what pattern was created on the floor) just by collecting the 10 bowling balls.”

The report makes pretty bold claims in regards to the QSA security. The researchers claim that it would be virtually impossible to recreate the quantum response, even with the card in hand.

“Quantum-physical principles forbid an attacker to fully characterize the incident light pulse. Therefore, he cannot emulate the key by digitally constructing the expected optical response, even if all information about the key is publicly known.”

It isn’t hard to understand why researchers feel there is a need for increased credit card security. Just this year, Target credit card information was hacked and a large Burger King credit card theft ring was uncovered. It isn’t just retail chains that are target of cyber attacks. PNC, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and other banks were hit with cyber attacks earlier this year.

What do you think about the possibility of quantum physics being used to secure your credit cards? Do you think anything is truly “impossible” to hack?