Post
Topic
Board CPU/GPU Bitcoin mining hardware
Re: Quantum computer mining
by
AzN1337c0d3r
on 01/05/2012, 01:13:26 UTC
Shor's Algorithm applies to prime factorization, which SHA256 doesn't use.

What you're looking for to crack SHA256 is Grover's Algorithm. Basically under classical models of computation the optimal way to find a matching hash is to simply search through the entire space yielding O(n). Under Quantum Computing the optimal time is O(n^0.5), which means effectively you have halved the key-length.

For SHA256, it effectively becomes SHA128 to a Quantum computer. Now the question remains, can a Quantum search for SHA128 faster than a classical computer search through SHA256?

With our current technology and for the foreseeable future, we still cannot build a Quantum computer that can yet begin to tackle this problem, let alone solve it in a time within our lifespan.

Thus SHA256 is considered "secure enough" for now.