Simulated Quantum Cryptography

A Python-based simulation of quantum-inspired cryptographic communication between Alice and Bob, with optional eavesdropper (Eve) interference.

Overview

This project demonstrates cryptographic concepts including:

• Quantum-inspired key generation and hashing
• AES-CBC encryption for secure message transmission
• Message integrity verification using cryptographic hashes
• Eavesdropper simulation to demonstrate tampering detection

Features

• Quantum-Inspired Encryption: Optional quantum key generation for enhanced hash security
• Classical Encryption Fallback: Disable quantum features to use standard SHA-256 hashing
• Eavesdropper Simulation: Simulate man-in-the-middle attacks with Eve tampering messages
• Integrity Verification: Detect message tampering through hash comparison

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/MugishaProsper-Simulated-Quantum-Cryptography.git
cd Simulated-Quantum-Cryptography

2. Create a virtual environment (recommended):

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

3. Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Quick Start

Command Line Interface

python main.py

Graphical User Interface

python interface.py

Usage

GUI Mode (Recommended for Testing)

Run the graphical interface:

python interface.py

Features:

• Toggle quantum encryption on/off
• Enable/disable eavesdropper simulation
• Configure Eve's tampering behavior
• Real-time color-coded communication log
• Generate new secret keys
• Clear log history

CLI Mode

Run the command-line program:

python main.py

Interactive Prompts

1. Enable quantum encryption? (y/n)

   • y: Use quantum-inspired hashing with random quantum keys
   • n: Use standard SHA-256 hashing

2. Simulate eavesdropper (Eve)? (y/n)

   • y: Enable Eve to intercept communication
   • n: Direct communication between Alice and Bob

3. Should Eve tamper with the message? (y/n)

   • Only appears if Eve is enabled
   • Modifies the encrypted message in transit

4. Should Eve tamper with the hash? (y/n)

   • Only appears if Eve is enabled
   • Modifies the encrypted hash in transit

Example Session

=== Simulated Quantum Cryptography System ===

Enable quantum encryption? (y/n, default=y): y
Simulate eavesdropper (Eve)? (y/n, default=n): y
  Should Eve tamper with the message? (y/n, default=y): y
  Should Eve tamper with the hash? (y/n, default=n): n

==================================================

Enter your message: Hello, Bob!

[Alice] Message encrypted and sent
  Encrypted message: 70q3AspF3ldk3UPdvOAZAg==+UHhgLzDbFv4KGuHNjRfAobmkL...
  Encrypted hash: 7awrwEGRKonZasMe6LHwsA==xYE0toTlU297fFUmuT3eJ8KW6M...
  Quantum mode: Enabled

[Eve] Intercepting communication...
  Message tampered: True
  Hash tampered: False

[Bob] Receiving and verifying message...

❌ Decryption/Verification failed: Padding is incorrect.

Project Structure

Simulated-Quantum-Cryptography/
├── main.py                    # Entry point and user interface
├── requirements.txt           # Python dependencies
├── README.md                  # This file
├── docs/
│   ├── ARCHITECTURE.md        # System architecture documentation
│   └── API.md                 # Module API reference
└── src/
    ├── __init__.py            # Package initialization
    ├── communication.py       # Alice and Bob communication protocol
    ├── encryptor.py           # AES encryption utilities
    ├── decryptor.py           # AES decryption utilities
    ├── hash_utils.py          # Quantum-inspired hashing
    ├── quantum_key.py         # Quantum key generation
    ├── eavesdropper.py        # Eve tampering simulation
    └── utils.py               # General utilities

How It Works

1. Key Generation

• A shared secret key is generated using os.urandom()
• If quantum mode is enabled, a quantum key is also generated for hashing

2. Message Sending (Alice)

• Alice creates a hash of her message (with or without quantum key)
• The hash is encrypted with the shared secret key
• The message itself is also encrypted with the shared secret key

3. Optional Interception (Eve)

• Eve can intercept and tamper with encrypted messages or hashes
• Tampering modifies random characters in the encrypted data

4. Message Receiving (Bob)

• Bob decrypts both the message and the hash
• Bob recalculates the hash of the decrypted message
• If hashes match, integrity is verified; otherwise, tampering is detected

Security Notes

⚠️ This is a simulation for educational purposes only

• This is NOT actual quantum cryptography (no quantum entanglement or superposition)
• Uses classical cryptographic primitives (AES, SHA-256)
• The "quantum" aspect simulates randomness and key distribution concepts
• Not suitable for production security applications

Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• pycryptodome >= 3.19.0

License

This project is for educational purposes.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues or pull requests.