And if the latter were able to break RSA, it would’ve already done so.” He concludes: “All told, this is one of the most actively misleading quantum computing papers I’ve seen in 25 years.” ...

The RSA algorithm works because, when n is sufficiently large, deriving d from a known e and n will be an impractically long calculation — unless we know p, in which case we can use the shortcut.

Researchers at Black Hat USA 2013 made a call for usage of elliptic curve cryptography in favor of the RSA algorithm, which the experts said could be cracked in the next five years.

Despite RSA's gesture, several competitors who have paid royalties for use of the algorithm for up to 17 years, argue that the industry could have done with the patent relaxation earlier.

The RSA algorithm has become an encryption standard for many e-commerce security applications. The patent for it was issued to MIT on Sept. 20, 1983, and licensed exclusively to RSA Security.

RSA is currently doing an internal review of all of its products to see where the algorithm gets invoked and to change those. A company spokesman said the review is expected to be completed next ...