Attacks and improvements of QSDC schemes based on CSS codes

Abstract

Quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) is a new research direction in quantum cryptography. Recently, a QSDC scheme using quantum Calderbank-Shor- Steane (CSS) error correction codes is proposed [Journal of Software, 17, 509-515 (2006)]. However, in this paper, it is showed that the scheme can not resist the man-in-the-middle attack. To resist man-in-the-middle attacks, an improved QSDC scheme using quantum CSS error correction codes is suggested. Furthermore, we discuss the security of the improved QSDC scheme for an ideal noiseless channel. In particular, it can resist the attack without eavesdropping. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.