Security News > 2024 > February > Apple adds PQ3 quantum-resistant encryption to iMessage
Apple is adding to the iMessage instant messaging service a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol named PQ3, designed to defend encryption from quantum attacks.
Quantum computing threatens the existing encryption schemas with nearly instant cracking.
Apple says that its new PQ3 protocol achieves protection against quantum computing threats, which the company calls Level 3 security.
"With compromise-resilient encryption and extensive defenses against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks, PQ3 is the first messaging protocol to reach what we call Level 3 security - providing protocol protections that surpass those in all other widely deployed messaging apps," reads Apple's announcement.
Apple does not trade Elliptic Curve Cryptography for PQ3 but instead implements a hybrid model that combines the two protocols, also adopted by Signal.
KyberSlash attacks put quantum encryption projects at risk.