The upcoming iOS 17.4 update bringsPQ3 encryptionto iMessage.
This cryptographic protocol anticipates future threats that may arrive in the era of quantum computing.
In theory, the PQ3 implementation makes iMessage the most secure messaging platform in the world.
Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
iMessage was one of the first mainstream messaging platforms to implementend-to-end encryption(E2EE) by default.
The message’s sender and recipient are the only ones who own these keys.
Cryptographic keys are based on math problems that today’s computers cannot solve.
Therefore, a protocol that defends against quantum attacks needs to existbeforewe enter the era of quantum computing.
Signal introduced such a protocol, calledPQXDH, back in September 2023.
Apple is now doing the same with PQ3 in iMessage.
These algorithmsmath problemsshouldbe too difficult for quantum computers to solve.
The PQ3 method also retains the protections of “classical cryptography,” specifically E2EE.
There isn’t a standardized way to rank cryptography methods in the post-quantum era.
For additional details on PQ3 in iMessage, check outApple’s blog.
