Quantum Key Distribution: Basic Protocols and Threats

Abstract

The last decade, the evolution in quantum computing has been enormous and real and reliable quantum computers are being developed quickly. One of the consequences of the upcoming quantum era is to make key distribution protocols insecure, as most of them are based on discrete algorithm problems. On the other hand, quantum computing provides a powerful and prominent tool for the safe transmission of information and cryptographic schemes and many of them have already been proposed. In this work, we discuss about quantum cryptography and we present certain quantum key distribution protocols. We also discuss about 'potential attacks that can be performed against the quantum cryptographic schemes which are based on quantum system's imperfections and loopholes.