A quantum computer algorithm that is used to find the prime factors in an encryption key. Created by applied mathematician Peter Shor in the mid-1990s, Shor's algorithm may be used to break the codes as quantum computers become more capable and handle more qubits without errors. The algorithm could potentially decrypt the billions of encrypted messages transmitted daily as well as hack cryptocurrency networks. See
quantum computing.
Like the Year 2000 problem, which was a known issue years before the turn of the century, the IT industry is working to develop counter measures before it is too late (see
quantum secure). See
Y2K problem.