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Journal of Natural Science of Heilongjiang University

Research of a new quantum key protocol attacked

Hongyu Zhang

Published Jan 1, 2006• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

A new quantum key distribution protocol that differs from the BB84 protocol is analysised.Though 1/4 redundancy codes is introduced to slow the code transmit rate,the new protocol is an astonishing simple QKD(Quantum Key Distribution) protocol,and it is much more robust against PNS(Photon Number Splitting) attack than BB84.Lots of key bits will be revealed to Eve(an eavesdropper) when she uses PNS.For application,the security of the one-time pad is also obtained when the protocol is used.

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A new quantum key distribution protocol that differs from the BB84 protocol is analysised.Though 1/4 redundancy codes is introduced to slow the code transmit rate,the new protocol is an astonishing simple QKD(Quantum Key Distribution) protocol,and it is much more robust against PNS(Photon Number Splitting) attack than BB84.Lots of key bits will be revealed to Eve(an eavesdropper) when she uses PNS.For application,the security of the one-time pad is also obtained when the protocol is used.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is one of the most promising technologies that enable theoretically unbreakable secure communications in this highly advanced information security era. This work provides a comparative analysis of QKD protocols such as BB84, Coherent One-Way (COW), and Differential Phase-Shift (DPS) against eavesdropping attacks e.g., Photon Number Splitting (PNS) attack. It employs a realistic approach to simulations such as using weak coherent pulse (WCP) sources. This work also explores qubit generation and the whole key distribution process in non-ideal conditions. Detailed algorithms have been discussed that simulate the encoding, transmission, and decoding process for every protocol, as well as simulating PNS attacks where an eavesdropper removes photons to gain key information without any detectable errors. Statistical metrics, such as Visibility and the information gain, are used to quantify the impact of these attacks. Future work aspects may include the extension of the simulation to incorporate additional parameters such as channel noise, fiber attenuation, detector dark counts, etc. to provide a realistic analysis to compare various QKD protocols.
As quantum computing threatens classical cryptography like RSA via Shor's algorithm, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)—especially BB84—offers physics-based security. BB84 leverages quantum principles: Heisenberg Uncertainty, No-Cloning Theorem, and superposition, shifting from math complexity to unbreakable physical laws using polarized photons for key exchange. The protocol detects eavesdropping through Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER), showing 25% errors in Intercept-Resend attacks. Key challenges like Photon Number Splitting (PNS) attacks are addressed via decoy states. Compared to B92 and E91, BB84 balances feasibility and security best. Despite issues like signal loss, BB84 provides provably secure communication, restoring trust in a post-quantum world.
Against the backdrop where traditional cryptosystems are threatened by algorithms such as Shor and Grover, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology serves as a next-generation security technology. However, the diversity of its protocols poses challenges to practical research, development, and application. This paper adopts a literature review approach to systematically classify the principles, characteristics, and application scenarios of mainstream protocols, including BB84, SARG04, and MDI-QKD, and also conducts a horizontal comparison of the differences between these protocols in terms of physical implementation, security, key rate, and anti-attack capability. The comparative study reveals that each type of protocol has its own advantages and disadvantages. For instance, BB84 needs to address transmission loss, SARG04 can resist Photon Number Splitting (PNS) attacks, and MDI-QKD is immune to measurement device attacks. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to select a protocol with high adaptability based on factors such as transmission distance, light source type, and environmental noise. This research lays a foundation for the practical application of QKD technology.
In the last ten years, quantum computing has made substantial progress, presenting a strong challenge to traditional encryption methods that depend on solving discrete algorithmic problems. With the advent of the quantum era, conventional encryption methods are becoming more susceptible to attacks. This paper investigates possible attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in quantum cryptography, specifically investigating weaknesses in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. The text thoroughly explores advanced attack strategies of photon number splitting highlight the existing vulnerabilities. The goal is to highlight the need for strong safeguards to protect against these threats, which requires continuous research and development to improve the robustness of quantum cryptography algorithms. The experimental investigation includes analyzing crucial parameters, including quantum channel length, loss, QKD protocol, quantum bit error rate (QBER), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), as well as attack parameters such as probability of photon number splitting (PNS), eavesdropper distance, and detection efficiency. The evaluation includes performance indicators such as secure key rate, quantum bit error rate (QBER) vs distance, vulnerability to photon number splitting (PNS) attacks, and the influence on the pace of key generation.