What Is: Quantum computing

Quantum computers are the latest potentially game-changing super gadgets that world scientists have been toying with.

They're so close to the unexplored frontiers of technology that there's even debate on what they're used for. The area where that debate is muffled is encrypted online data.

Classical computers - the ones we use every day - process information using a series of 0s and 1s called bits. Each bit can only be a 1 or a 0 at any given time, which limits these computers to a linear problem-solving model.

Alex Quandt, physics professor at Wits University, explained: ''A quantum computer operates on a quantum mechanical wavefunction, which contains the basic units of information as a superposition, think Schrodinger's zombie cat, of quantum bits or qubits.

''Instead of having the basic information available in 0s and 1s, the info in a qubit could be 60% 0 and 40% 1."

Imagine classical computing as a lone cartographer trying to find the lowest point on a mountainous region. He would have to amble all over the landscape checking elevations . A quantum computer would send out multiple cartographers to different points and have them relay their info to headquarters at the same time.

This is particularly exciting news for billionaire hackers and government agencies interested in your encrypted information.

''A typical application of quantum computing , is the efficient factorisation of a very large integer into prime numbers, which could break all the encryptions currently used for online banking and internet traffic," said Quandt.

The expense of quantum computing means only big government and private companies can realistically afford to invest in it.

According to a recent article in Time magazine, a quantum computer is likely to set you back about $10-million (about R105-million).

Despite concerns, there's no need to fear a nefarious neighbour trying to hack your online accounts with a quantum PC yet.

The technology is still a way from being mass produced for the public.