"Quantum Hacking Alert: USTC Uncovers Critical Vulnerabilities in Quantum Key Distribution"
A team led by Guo Guangcan from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences made an advancement in the practical security of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). They identified a potential security flaw in the modulator device of the QKD transmitter and exploited this vulnerability to conduct quantum hacking attacks. Theoretically, QKD enables the generation of secure keys between users. However, the non-ideal characteristics of practical devices may deviate from the theoretical assumptions, making them vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks. In order to advance the practical application of QKD, it is essential to perform a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the security of QKD systems and then design more robust and secure practical systems. This article continues to discuss the team's progress in analyzing the practical security of QKD systems and developing attack-defense techniques.