Apple has always been big on privacy and user security and now the company is taking a big step ahead in securing its popular messaging app, iMessage. With the upcoming software update, iMessage will feature a brand new encryption protocol called PQ3, designed to withstand even the most sophisticated attacks, including those from future quantum computers.
“We are introducing PQ3, a groundbreaking cryptographic protocol for iMessage that advances the state of the art of end-to-end secure messaging. With compromise resilient encryption and extensive defences against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks, PQ3 provides protocol protections that surpass those in all other widely deployed messaging apps,” Apple noted in a blog post. iMessage will get PQ3 support with the rollout of iOS 17.4, which is expected soon.
While quantum computers aren’t widespread threats yet, they hold the potential to crack current encryption standards, putting sensitive data at risk. Apple is looking to addressing this future threat by implementing PQ3, which the company claims achieves “Level 3 security,” surpassing all other widely used messaging apps. For comparison, WhatsApp has Level 1 security whereas Signal has Level 2.
This means iMessage leaps ahead of even Signal, which recently boosted its own security measures. Apple emphasises that PQ3 isn’t just a simple algorithm swap; it’s a complete overhaul of the encryption protocol built from the ground up.
What makes PQ3 unique?
As per Apple, It anticipates a “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” scenario where attackers might store encrypted data today, waiting for quantum computers to decrypt it in the future. PQ3 aims to thwart such attempts by offering “post-quantum” security, meaning it remains unbreakable even against these futuristic threats. Apple’s move could set a precedent for other messaging platforms to follow, pushing the bar for secure communication in messaging apps.
Traditional encryption methods can be vulnerable to certain attacks today. PQ3 promises to bolster iMessage’s security against these present threats as well.“To our knowledge, PQ3 has the strongest security properties of any at-scale messaging protocol in the world,” Apple said in the blog.
“We are introducing PQ3, a groundbreaking cryptographic protocol for iMessage that advances the state of the art of end-to-end secure messaging. With compromise resilient encryption and extensive defences against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks, PQ3 provides protocol protections that surpass those in all other widely deployed messaging apps,” Apple noted in a blog post. iMessage will get PQ3 support with the rollout of iOS 17.4, which is expected soon.
While quantum computers aren’t widespread threats yet, they hold the potential to crack current encryption standards, putting sensitive data at risk. Apple is looking to addressing this future threat by implementing PQ3, which the company claims achieves “Level 3 security,” surpassing all other widely used messaging apps. For comparison, WhatsApp has Level 1 security whereas Signal has Level 2.
This means iMessage leaps ahead of even Signal, which recently boosted its own security measures. Apple emphasises that PQ3 isn’t just a simple algorithm swap; it’s a complete overhaul of the encryption protocol built from the ground up.
What makes PQ3 unique?
As per Apple, It anticipates a “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” scenario where attackers might store encrypted data today, waiting for quantum computers to decrypt it in the future. PQ3 aims to thwart such attempts by offering “post-quantum” security, meaning it remains unbreakable even against these futuristic threats. Apple’s move could set a precedent for other messaging platforms to follow, pushing the bar for secure communication in messaging apps.
Traditional encryption methods can be vulnerable to certain attacks today. PQ3 promises to bolster iMessage’s security against these present threats as well.“To our knowledge, PQ3 has the strongest security properties of any at-scale messaging protocol in the world,” Apple said in the blog.