Researchers at Shanghai University claimed to have broken RSA encryption algorithms, used in banking and cryptocurrency, by factorizing the integer 2,269,753. However, popular YouTuber Mental Outlaw argues that this breakthrough is insignificant against modern encryption standards. The quantum computer involved only managed to crack a 22-bit key, which is far below the records set by classical computers that can break 892-bit keys—requiring approximately 2,700 physical core years. Current RSA encryption standards use key sizes of 2048 to 4096 bits, making them resilient against this new quantum advance. Quantum computers also face severe operational challenges, such as requiring near-absolute zero temperatures and a significant portion of their processing power being allocated for error correction. While the threat to encryption standards is currently low, faster advancements in quantum technology could change this scenario, prompting tech firms like HSBC, IBM Quantum, Microsoft, and Apple to develop quantum-resistant cryptography.

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