This research is inspired by the BB84 and Base64 algorithms and presents a fusion of both to introduce a new algorithmic technique for secure data transmission. It combines classical cryptographic principles with concepts from quantum key distribution. The proposed approach integrates Base64 encoding and BB84-inspired key exchange into a web-based cryptographic system. Messages or files from the sender (Alice) are encrypted using a randomly generated symmetric key, derived through HKDF and secured with AES-GCM encryption. The key is shared with the receiver (Bob) via a QR code or text file, functioning as a one-time password. The system also simulates quantum key exchange and basis alignment, serving as an educational tool for quantum-inspired secure communication.
This research is inspired by the BB84 and Base64 algorithms and presents a fusion of both to introduce a new algorithmic technique for secure data transmission. It combines classical cryptographic principles with concepts from quantum key distribution. The proposed approach integrates Base64 encoding and BB84-inspired key exchange into a web-based cryptographic system. Messages or files from the sender (Alice) are encrypted using a randomly generated symmetric key, derived through HKDF and secured with AES-GCM encryption. The key is shared with the receiver (Bob) via a QR code or text file, functioning as a one-time password. The system also simulates quantum key exchange and basis alignment, serving as an educational tool for quantum-inspired secure communication.
The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a serious threat to traditional cryptographic systems such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), which rely on computational difficulty for security. Quantum algorithms like Shor’s and Grover’s have the potential to break or weaken these methods, putting modern communication systems at risk. To address this challenge, this work presents a quantum-safe com-munication framework that combines the BB84 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) techniques, aiming to ensure secure data exchange in the presence of quantum-capable adversaries. In this system, the BB84 protocol is simulated to enable secure key exchange between two parties over a virtual quantum channel. The generated key is refined through processes such as basis matching, error correction, and privacy amplification using SHA-256 to ensure reliability and secrecy. For secur-ing communication, One-Time Pad (OTP) encryption is used alongside HMAC-SHA3-256 to provide both confidentiality and message integrity. Additionally, file encryption is handled using the XChaCha20-Poly1305 algorithm, selected for its efficiency and strong protection against potential vulnerabilities like nonce reuse. To further enhance security, the framework integrates a hybrid key management approach using the Kyber-512 Key Encapsulation Mechanism (KEM) combined with a Key Deriva-tion Function (KDF), merging classical and quantum-resistant techniques. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the system, achieving a Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) of 2.5% and successful performance in both message and file en-cryption. Overall, this work contributes toward the development of practical and resilient communication systems designed for the emerging quantum era.
Implementing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) using the BB84 protocol. The system allows two users to securely share a secret key by simulating quantum protocol using classical computer algorithms to manage and process the data. Random bits are generated, encoded into quantum states, and transmitted virtually between sender and receiver. After transmission, both users compare selected bits to detect error. Classical algorithms are then applied for error correction, key verification, and privacy amplification to produce a final shared secret key. By combining the power of quantum simulation with classical computing algorithms, the project achieves a secure, efficient, and practical approach to key distribution. This integration demonstrates how cloud-based quantum tools and classical algorithms can work together to build reliable and secure communication systems.
Quantum cryptography using the BB84 protocol is at the forefront of modern secure communication. This paper emphasizes on BB84 protocol and its role in secure key distribution utilizing the Qiskit libraries in Python to simulate Quantum Key distribution (QKD). This QKD is then applied to the One-Time Pad algorithm for message encryption and decryption. Ensuring data confidentiality and integrity and is difficult due to advanced cyber threats and the potential of quantum computing to undermine traditional cryptographic methods. Current encryption techniques are susceptible to quantum related attacks, risking the decryption of sensitive data. Alice (sender) and Bob (receiver) use classical encryption to communicate but eavesdropper Eve with quantum capabilities, can potentially decrypt their messages. This vulnerability affects critical data security in finance, healthcare, and national security, making robust cryptographic solutions essential for maintaining trust and safety in digital communications. Our work emphasis the utilization of the quantum key generated by employing the BB84 protocol with the help of Qiskit library in python as cipher text in the process of one time pad encryption and decryption. This encrypted data dispatched between the sender and receiver to ensure maximum security, confidentiality and integrity over the period of communication.
The emergence of quantum computing poses a significant threat to classical cryptographic systems, particularly those relying on mathematical hardness assumptions for key exchange. While symmetric algorithms such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) remain efficient and widely deployed, their long-term security ultimately depends on the secrecy of keys. In this paper, we present a hybrid framework that integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) with AES and DES to enhance key security without altering cipher internals. Using the BB84 protocol as the quantum key generator, we implement a simulation-based system in Qiskit and evaluate it against classical pseudo-random key generation.Our methodology covers five phases: establishing AES/DES baselines, generating quantum random keys, implementing BB84 with basis reconciliation and error detection, integrating quantum keys with AES/DES, and benchmarking across varying key sizes and file sizes. Results demonstrate that AES encryption throughput remains stable (around 250–370 MB/s) regardless of key source, while QKD introduces measurable latency in key generation (around 40–110 seconds for 128–256 bits). Importantly, adversarial interference is reliably detected, with 97.3% accuracy in eavesdropper identification.The findings confirm that while classical systems excel in speed and scalability, QKD offers unmatched, physics-backed security assurances. Our study highlights the practicality of hybrid quantum-classical encryption, providing a foundation for secure communication in the post-quantum era.
Quantum computing technologies are rapidly evolving and are expected to challenge the security of traditional cryptographicsystems in the near future. To address this issue, this research introduces a secure two-way communication framework based onthe BB84 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol combined with AES-GCM encryption. The proposed system establishesquantum-generated secret keys between two communicating nodes and uses those keys for authenticated symmetric encryption.The implementation includes dynamic key pool management, automatic key regeneration, Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER)analysis, eavesdropper detection, and real-time secure communication monitoring. A Streamlit-based graphical interface enablesvisualization of quantum transmission behavior, communication status, encrypted message exchange, and channel securitymetrics. Experimental observations show that the system successfully detects interception attempts through increased QBERwhile maintaining reliable communication under secure channel conditions. The developed framework demonstrates thepracticality of integrating quantum key exchange mechanisms with modern encryption methods for next-generation securecommunication systems.
In the era of quantum computing, conventional encryption methods are becoming more vulnerable to quantum attacks and more secure communication protocols are needed. This paper describes a Quantum Secure Chat System that facilitates real-time communication between two parties through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) using the BB84 protocol and AES-GCM encryption to protect confidentiality and integrity. The system employs QKD for key distribution and mitigates eavesdropping attempts, whereby attempted interceptions alert parties that the key cannot be trusted. In conjunction, the system employs Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) to mitigate the risk of non-random and biased keys. From the front end perspective, the chat system has an intuitive interface built of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for two users to communicate in encrypted format. From the back-end, it has implemented a Django REST framework for QKD, AES encryption, and message decryption. Information about eavesdropper detection, quantum keys, cipher text, and decrypted messages is displayed to the user and aids transparency in the key exchanging and data encryption/decryption process. The system was robustly developed and tested with release candidates to establish eavesdropping detection, as well as the ability to manage encryption and decryption in an efficient manner. Furthermore, it provides evidence of a strong security capability between the combinations of QKD and AES as a solution to enable real-time messaging.