AdGuard has become the latest VPN provider to integrate quantum-resistant encryption into its software, marking a significant step in protecting user data from emerging quantum computing threats.
Integration of Quantum-Resistant Encryption
AdGuard VPN now combines classic encryption methods with one of the Post-quantum algorithm standards released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) last August. This feature was rolled out on macOS and Windows on March 6, 2025, with mobile apps expected to receive the update later in the month.
The Need for Quantum-Proof Encryption
As quantum technology advances, data protection must stay ahead of potential threats. “We are on the cusp of the quantum technology era, and data protection must lead the way against threats, not just react to them. By implementing post-quantum cryptography, we are laying the foundation for a secure internet in the future,” said Denis Vyazovoy, AdGuard VPN CPO.
Experts predict that it’s only a matter of time before quantum computers break current RSA-based encryption methods, given their ability to process computations that today’s computers cannot handle. Recent developments like Google’s Willow quantum chip and Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip are pushing quantum computing closer to solving complex real-world problems, potentially rendering current encryption obsolete.
Threats from Quantum Computers
Quantum computers are still years away from becoming mainstream, but cybercriminals are believed to have already adopted “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks. These involve collecting encrypted data and decrypting it once quantum machines are capable.
NIST’s Solution
To address this threat, NIST released the first sets of quantum-safe algorithms last year, designed for specific tasks such as key exchange protection (ML-KEM) and identity authentication (ML-DSA and SLH-DSA). AdGuard VPN has implemented a hybrid encryption approach that includes the classic X25519 elliptic curve algorithm with the post-quantum Kyber768-based ML-KEM768.
Benefits of Hybrid Encryption
This dual-layer encryption approach ensures robust protection against both current and future risks, enabling secure session keys that are resilient to quantum computing advancements. This is similar to what companies like Internxt, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Windscribe, and PureVPN have also done.
If you’re using the latest version of AdGuard VPN on your desktop, you should already be able to enable this feature through the settings menu. This advanced security option is also expected to land on iOS and Android VPN apps in the next couple of weeks.
