Researchers turn to the universe in the name of quantum cryptography

Researchers in Germany had the Alphasat I-XL communications satellite send laser beams in the infrared range to a measuring station located 38,000km away, on the holiday island of Tenerife. They then analysed the light quanta of the laser beam, thus generating a code to be used to read an encrypted message.

Quantum computing is one of those terms likely to make the hair of data privacy activists stand on end.

The development of these superfast computers is progressing rapidly, and one day, they are expected to become so powerful that they'll be able to crack encryption methods commonly used today in a flash.