Cryptographic anchor facts for kids

A cryptographic anchor, also called a "crypto-anchor," is like a special, tiny "fingerprint" for products. It's a unique code or device that can be put into almost anything and cannot be removed or changed. These anchors can be very small computers or special optical codes, so tiny they can even be mixed into dye! Each crypto-anchor is connected to a blockchain, which is a super secure digital record. They are used to help stop fake products, find out where products come from, and track them as they move around.

What are Crypto-Anchors?

Crypto-anchors are unique identifiers that make sure a product is real. Think of them as a secret mark that proves something is authentic. They are designed to be impossible to copy or tamper with.

How Do They Work?

Crypto-anchors can be different things:

• Tiny Computers: Some are miniature computer chips.
• Optical Codes: Others are special patterns or codes that can be read with light.
• In Dye: They can even be put into the dye used to color products. For example, a hidden code in a pill's dye might become visible when touched with water.

Each anchor links to a blockchain. A blockchain is like a very secure, shared digital ledger. It keeps a record of everything about the product, like where it was made and what's inside. This makes it very hard for anyone to create fake versions or change information.

Why Are Crypto-Anchors Important?

The main reason for using crypto-anchors is to fight against fake products. Many industries, like medicine and luxury goods, suffer from fakes. These fake products can be dangerous or just a waste of money.

• Stopping Fakes: By checking the crypto-anchor, you can quickly tell if a product is real or fake.
• Tracking Products: They also help companies track products from where they are made all the way to the customer. This helps ensure quality and safety.

Who Developed Crypto-Anchors?

The technology for crypto-anchors was developed by a company called IBM. They worked on making these tiny, secure identifiers.

IBM's Vision for Crypto-Anchors

IBM imagined many uses for crypto-anchors:

• On Pills: They thought of putting them on medicines. A hidden code in the pill's dye could appear when water touches it, proving the pill is real.
• In Liquids: They could also be used to mark liquids, like special drinks or chemicals.
• Super Small: These anchors are incredibly tiny, even smaller than a grain of salt! IBM thought they could be made for less than ten U.S. cents each.

Giulio Prisco, a writer, explained that crypto-anchors are a great starting point for new technologies. They work well with the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain solutions. This means they can help make medical devices and medicines very secure. They provide "end-to-end security" from the factory to the patient.

IBM's main goal for crypto-anchors was to fight product fraud. The anchors can confirm a product's origin and contents. This information is then matched with the record stored on the blockchain.

In 2018, IBM believed that crypto-anchors would be widely used within five years. This shows how important they thought this technology would become for keeping products safe and real.