A huge problem with the internet is that sensitive information sent from one computer to another may be compromised at intermediate servers.
This may happen when an intermediate server has been hacked and any traffic through it becomes accessible to hackers.
To solve this problem, Boeing has turned to quantum communication.
The information bits to be transmitted is intermixed with a stream of quantum bits in a secret pattern. The quantum bits do not carry any information but are used to monitor any unauthorized access.
At each node along the transmission route, the quantum bits are examined to check whether their entangled state has collapsed. This is an indication that an unauthorized access has taken place.
Once a hacked intermediate server is detected, all traffic is routed away from that server thus protecting information from hackers.
Publication number: US 20160105439
Patent Title: Anti-Hacking System for Quantum Communication
Publication date: 14 Apr 2016
Filing date: 21 Jul 2014
Inventors: Jeffrey H. Hunt; Wayne Richard Howe;
Applicant: The Boeing Company