Editors Pick

Beyond End-To-End: unveiling the Quantum threat to Encryption

Computer Science, Editors Pick, Mathematics, Must Read, Technology / By

If you’ve ever used Whatsapp or Instagram to communicate with friends and family, you’d notice that the messages are “end-to-end encrypted”. Upon first notice, it sounds great. All your messages are safe and secure – you’d think. 

However, not every encryption method is created equal, and with the rise of cyberattacks and more sophisticated technology especially in the Quantum field, one must exercise caution when choosing the right tools to use. But to better understand the scale of this issue we must first address the mathematical operation that makes such risk feasible in the first place.

Shor’s algorithm poses a major threat to security provided by current industry-standard encryption methods like RSA and ECC which rely on the difficulty of factoring large integers for security. However this difficulty is limited to the classical world of computing, where operations would be trialed one by one until a solution is found (exponential time) making it almost impossible to decipher such encryption methods. On the other hand, a Quantum computer is able to simultaneously compute all the possible trials in a single iteration due to it being in a superposition of exponentially many states – achieving rapid polynomial time. In simpler terms, many of the “asymmetric” encryption methods are at risk.

Evidently, this causes a domino effect on Symmetric encryption methods, since most Symmetric keys are exchanged between users through an asymmetric exchange process, which could be compromised by Shor’s algorithm allowing potential decryption of all data encrypted with that key: including your texts and photos.

Whilst this threat isn’t currently feasible for ordinary individuals — since Quantum Computers are costly, sophisticated pieces of technology –  many countries and researchers are becoming increasingly aware of its uses and have created their own. Evidently, there is an imminent risk that Quantum threats may have the potential to escalate cyberattacks and transform the digital landscape as we know it. 

Moreover, some authorities and individuals are adopting a technique called “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later”: accumulating databases of encrypted information. In hopes, it could one day be decrypted with sufficiently powerful quantum computers. 

Evidently, many companies and researchers (including NIST) have taken measures to enhance encryption methods and implement Quantum safe or secure encryption in their communication protocols. One example, is the open-source messaging platform signal, which introduced the new PQXDH encryption protocol that claims to be quantum resistant to current advancements in the field of encryption: however, they claim that such technology must be upgraded as future findings and vulnerabilities may require additional security adjustments. If you wish to, the whitepaper for the encryption method can be accessed here.

Conclusion

Finally, we realised that such advancements pose a monumental risk to information security. Although it’s easy to be pessimistic about such advancements, I believe that it’s a step in the right direction towards safeguarding our digital security and communication. Therefore, as individuals and organisations alike we must take proactive measures:

  • Stay Informed: Keep abreast of developments in quantum computing and its implications for encryption. Awareness is key to making informed choices.
  • Quantum-Safe Encryption: Consider adopting encryption methods that are resilient to quantum attacks. New cryptographic standards, often referred to as Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), are being developed to address this specific concern.
  • Advancements in Technology: Support and invest in technologies that stay ahead of the curve (especially open-source projects), continually updating encryption methods to withstand emerging threats.

Sources

https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/post-quantum-cryptography/
https://statweb.stanford.edu/~cgates/PERSI/papers/MCMCRev.pdf
https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/77239/
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/security/encryption/what-types-of-encryption-are-there/#:~:text=There%20are%20two%20types%20of,used%20for%20encryption%20and%20decryption.
https://signal.org/docs/specifications/pqxdh/

Battling Plastic Pollution: Unveiling Nature’s Tiny Heroes

Biology, Ecology, Editors Pick, Science / By

Polyethylene, plastic for short. It’s used everywhere, from the humble water bottle to grand and towering airplanes. We all hear that plastic doesn’t decompose, but many of us adopt an “out of sight, out of mind” thinking process. But, all because you can’t see a problem doesn’t mean that it’s not there. 

Over 170 trillion plastic pieces are in our oceans currently, with that number exponentially skyrocketing. This causes several issues, primarily a negative impact on wildlife and ecosystems within the ocean (colloquially referred to as plastic pollution). 

Fish (among other aquatic creatures) run the risk of being constricted by plastic rings, eating miniature pieces of them, or even having them cut against their skin. Not only this, but the plastic itself is toxic, with it containing thousands of chemicals that are harmful for aquatic life but also anyone else who comes in contact with contaminated water, humans included.

Image credit: https://www.surfacemag.com/articles/plastic-research-toxins-carcinogens/, depicts a gigantic pile of empty plastic containers. 

Since the dawn of its creation, it was just assumed as an unfortunate reality that we had to accept: gain a powerful, versatile, and cheap material and sentence the oceans and all the life it maintains to the guillotine. After all, it would cost an arm and a leg (upwards of $150 billion specifically) to remove the majority, not even all, of the plastic. 

But what if human hands combined with those of Mother Nature? What if we called upon the meek insects that scurry on the floors we stepped on to remove this pollution? What if we found a solution to this problem, a cheap and readily available cure for this illness? Well, that may just be possible.

October of 2022 brought more than just the welcoming of Halloween, it also was the time of a critical discovery: a type of caterpillar whose spit could decompose plastic. This was oddly enough discovered by a hobbyist beekeeper named Federica, who placed these caterpillars (wax moth in particular) into a plastic bag and found out briefly afterward that they had escaped, leaving multiple holes as their tunnels to freedom. 

But first, let’s review how they were able to do that. They utilized two specific enzymes, or proteins designed to cause a biochemical reaction, named Ceres and Demeter. These were considerably faster at decomposing plastic than traditional means (e.g. fungi or general bacteria), which could take weeks at a time. 

Scientists are currently looking to harvest and mass-produce these enzymes to decompose plastic at a more global scale. Although this is still in the beta phase of testing, it does offer a multitude of questions. How much faster do these enzymes decay plastic than conventional means? Are there other enzymes like this? How long will it take before it can be synthesized and ready for mass engineering? 

But, it does offer something important: a step in the right direction. With the capabilities of science and the will of those who desire clean water free of plastic residue, anything is possible, just maybe with the help of some little bugs by our side. 

Is Your Phone Really Listening, or is it just Smart Advertising?

Computer Science, Editors Pick, Technology / By

Have you ever had that eerie feeling that your phone is listening to your conversations? Has it ever happened that you’re making ice skating plans with your friends, and the moment you open Instagram, your eyes lay upon an ice skating ad? It has happened to me, and I’m sure I’m not alone. But amidst the bewilderment, the question lingers: Is our phone genuinely listening to us, or is it all just a series of bizarre coincidences?

Although Apple claims that it doesn’t listen to users, voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa listen for wake-up words such as “Hey Siri” and “Alexa” and record the user’s speech, contributing to the creation of a user’s profile for targeted advertisements. A user’s profile includes their demographics, browsing history, online purchases, social media interactions, app usage, and much more. Additionally, Ad networks buy data from many sources and track a user’s online activity. They seem to know everything about us – our age, gender, likes, dislikes, location, hobbies, and even the time we spend on different websites. Through the data from the profile and algorithms, advertisers effectively target specific audiences for their ads. Now sometimes the ad isn’t completely in line with the user’s preferences, but there is a process that involves customization to make the ad as precise as possible with the user’s interests. 

I mentioned that Apple claims that it doesn’t listen to users; however, that statement is contradicted by a report that revealed how Siri can “sometimes be mistakenly activated and record private matters,” raising privacy concerns. For the most part, the data gathered by advertisers is used anonymously to respect privacy, but it’s essential to read the terms and conditions before agreeing to them. 

Because of these specific ads, one gets the impression that their phone is actively listening to them 24/7, but it’s mostly due to the role of data collection and network algorithms. Sometimes confirmation bias – the tendency of individuals to support information that aligns with their opinions and ignore information that does not – plays a role here. For example, if you’re talking about chocolate ice cream and receive an ad about it, you’ll instantly think you’re phone has been listening to you all this time, but other times when you get an ad unrelated to your conversation, you disregard it or don’t notice it.

In conclusion, while your phone does listen to you, it does through voice assistants and mostly in harmless ways. So the next time you experience the ice skating situation, you’ll know the reasons behind it.

August Temperature Outlook

Editors Pick, Meteorology / By

As record-breaking summer heat continues across much of the lower 48, August does not appear to bring much relief. Much of the interior of the country should expect temperatures to be solidly above average for the duration of the month, with the northern plains potentially seeing temperatures several degrees above normal. Wetter conditions in the northeast should keep temperatures around average for August while coastal sections of the southeast and the west coast should expect near average to marginally above average temperatures. The trend for warmer conditions in northern Alaska should continue for the rest of summer and into the fall, while Hawaii should continue to expect average temperatures for the duration. 

Disclaimer: These outlooks are only used for generic purposes and simply depict trends overtime, not day-by-day forecasts. Errors are possible in these outlooks due to the high amount of uncertainty of forecasting months in advance. Most data is obtained from Tropical Tidbits.

Alef Aeronautics

Flying cars become a reality – FAA approves

Aeronautical, Automotive, Editors Pick, Technology / By

What the world once considered to be something out of a sci-fi movie might just become reality. Alef Aeronautics, an automotive aviation company, has been working on this flying car for the past 7-8 years and has without a doubt left not only the world of flight and travel but also the general public in awe. This electric vehicle is expected to hit the American skyline in the year 2025, and preorders begin at a whopping $300,000 (USD). 

As per a report from Times Now, the company has already started accepting pre-orders and money deposits for the vehicle, but the vehicle itself will only be delivered by 2025. The design is urban, futuristic, and the car itself is sustainable. CEO Jim Dukhonvy backs this claim, as he says “We’re excited to receive this certification from the FAA. It allows us to move closer to bringing people an environmentally friendly and faster commute, saving individuals and companies hours each week. This is one small step for planes, one giant step for cars.” 

Not only is this a huge step towards technological advancements, but also is an insight to the future. As several sources report, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved and certified this yet-to-be automobile. With a vertical take-off stance, “Model A,” can currently carry 2 people and travel about 200 miles. 

Alef’s newest development and the approval of the FAA is only the stepping stone to a more sustainable and safer future. 

An Early Look At The Fall of 2023

Editors Pick, Meteorology / By
Original Image by Navam Arora

As the Summer heat and violent storms continue to rage across the US, some are already looking ahead to what Autumn may bring, and for many, it may not be much of a relief. Most of the country is forecasted to experience above average temperatures for most of fall, with cooler periods arriving in November as an El Nino setup continues to strengthen in the Eastern Pacific. Areas in the Great Lakes and the northern tier should expect temperatures to be most above average during the 3 month period. Many in the Northwest and Hawaii could also expect to see drought conditions develop during the fall months, as there is a strong indication of below average precipitation. Areas along the gulf coast and central plains could experience slightly wetter than average conditions while the four corners could see slightly drier than average conditions. An outlook for the Winter of 2023-2024 will be released in the coming months. 

Disclaimer: The Climate Prediction Center also creates similar seasonal outlooks but this outlook is not solely based on that of the CPC, the CPC outlook can be found here. These outlooks are only used for generic purposes and simply depict trends overtime, not day-by-day forecasts. Errors are possible in these outlooks due to the high amount of uncertainty of forecasting months in advance. Most data is obtained from Tropical Tidbits. 

SpaceX Internet Service Provider “Starlink” reaches One Million User Milestone

Editors Pick, Engineering, Mathematics, Technology / By

A tweet from SpaceX earlier this week reports that their “Starlink” service has amassed over a million subscriptions.

SpaceX satellite network “Starlink” was developed in hopes of providing low-cost internet globally, especially to remote locations that lack reliable internet connectivity.

How does it work?

Starlink satellites function through identical means to those of other satellite internet service technologies, an internet service provider will transmit an internet signal to a satellite in space, which then comes back to the users and is captured by their satellite dish. These dishes are connected to a modem which connects their computer with the captured internet signal. The issue with this, is that your data must travel all the way to a satellite in space and back to you on Earth. These long trips take a considerable amount of time, and in turn this leads to a higher latency (response time) and a worse connection.

This, is where we face an issue. Ideally, we want an internet connection to have a lower latency, which is where SpaceX’s Starlink comes in. SpaceX’s proposal was to make Starlink “a constellation of thousands of satellites that orbit the planet much closer to Earth, at about 550km, and cover the entire globe”. This shortened geostationary orbit proves much more effective as it increases internet speeds and reduces latency levels.

How fast is Starlink?

It’s fast, but how fast, really? Starlink offers two plans for subscribers, the basic plan, and the premium plan. The basic plan advertises download speeds from 50 to 250 megabytes per second, whilst the premium plan’s download speeds range from 150 to 500 Mbps; is this really the case?

Source: Official Ookla Website

Ookla’s recent report shows that in the US the median download speed was 164 Mbps, which does follow the advertised range provided for both plans. The median latency was about 27 ms in the US which is actually considered within the optimal range of 20-40ms. A huge improvement compared to previous testing.

The future of Starlink

As of writing, the Starlink constellation consists 3300 small satellites, with the latest additions on 17 December 2022. 54 Starlink satellites were launched by the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket when it had lifted off for its 15th time. Overall, about 12,000 satellites are planned to be deployed on this mission, with a possible extension to 42,000 afterwards. This should ultimately fulfill SpaceX’s proposal and achieve global internet availability, and the million subscription milestone is a step in that direction.