Hey Lubbock, imagine you’ve got a safe where you keep your most important stuff—customer lists, family photos, or business contracts. Right now, that safe has a pretty good lock. But what if someone’s working on a new kind of key that could open it years from now? That’s the deal with quantum computers, and it’s a problem we need to talk about. At Robb.Tech, we’re back with your Weekly Unsolicited IT Advice to keep our Lubbock community safe. Last week, we warned you about deepfake voice scams tricking folks out of money. This week, we’re looking ahead to a new tech threat—quantum computers—and how to protect your data before it’s too late.
What’s This Quantum Computer Thing?
Quantum computers are a new kind of super-powerful computer being developed by big tech companies. They use something called “qubits” to do math way faster than your laptop. Right now, the locks we use online—called encryption—keep things like your emails, online shopping, and business files safe. But in the future, maybe 10 or 20 years from now, quantum computers might be able to break those locks. They won’t magically know your bank balance, but they could unlock data that’s been stolen today—like passwords or customer info—if it’s not protected with stronger locks.
Why Worry Now If It’s Years Away?
Here’s the tricky part: bad guys could grab your locked data today and just wait. It’s called “harvest now, decrypt later.” Say a hacker gets their hands on your encrypted customer list or tax records. They can’t open it now, but if they hold onto it until quantum computers get strong enough, they might crack it open later. That’s a big risk for Lubbock businesses and families who need to keep things private for years—like medical records or business plans. The good news? Experts at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have been working on new, quantum-proof locks. They released some in August 2024 and added another called HQC in March 2025.
Simple Steps to Stay Safe
You don’t need to be a tech expert to get ahead of this. Here’s what you can do:
- Ask Questions: Check with your bank, email provider, or any service holding your data—are they using old encryption or the new quantum-proof kind? If they’re not sure, tell them to look into NIST’s new standards.
- Think Long-Term: If you’ve got stuff you want to keep secret for years—like business contracts or personal records—start planning to use stronger locks now.
- Let Us Help: Not sure what encryption you’re using? At Robb.Tech, we can take a look at your computers, website, or accounts and let you know if you’re at risk. We’ll help you switch to these new NIST-approved locks, so you’re ready for the future.
- Tell Your Friends: Share this with your Lubbock neighbors. The more of us who know about this, the harder it is for hackers to win.
Stay One Step Ahead
Quantum computers aren’t breaking into your accounts today, but they’re a real threat we need to plan for. Those new NIST standards are like a better lock for your digital safe, and we’re here to help you install it. Don’t let hackers steal your data now and unlock it later—let’s make sure your secrets stay secret. Got questions? Stop by Robb.Tech or give us a call. We’re your local IT crew, keeping things simple and keeping you safe.
Stay smart,
Philip Robb
Owner, Robb.Tech