Quantum codebreaking uses a theoretically “large” quantum computer to break secret codes. Today, quantum computers handle very tiny numbers. The most impressive examples deal with numbers less than 22. In theory, a “large” quantum computer could quickly crack codes we use every day to protect data.
I’ve been skeptical about quantum codebreaking for decades. I think it violates physical laws like conservation of energy.
It’s always nice to see a solid and hilarious paper and presentation poking holes in something I find doubtful. Peter Gutmann is a cybersecurity academic in NZ who has always had a practical and well thought out view of various technologies. Here’s a presentation he co-authored titled “Why Quantum Cryptanalysis is Bollocks”. There’s also a paper titled “Replication of Quantum Factorisation Records with an 8-bit Home Computer, an Abacus, and a Dog“.
These arguments may be similar to those against early experiments with flight. Gutmann’s arguments are based on tangible lack of progress in building quantum computers. My argument might be wrong in applying conservation of energy to the problem: the argument assumes that the abstract notion of measurable information (aka information theory) corresponds to physical devices that store information.
Time will tell.
Cryptosmith 
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