<title>Practical aspects of quantum crypotography</title>

We discuss three problems of practical quantum cryptography: continuous alignment, nose of the photon counters and eavesdropping. We present a new self-balanced interferometric setup using Faraday mirrors. This phase- coding setup needs no alignment of the interferometer nor polarization control, and therefore considerably facilitates the experiment. Moreover it features excellent fringe visibility. The importance of the detector noise is illustrated and means of reducing it are presented. Maximal distances and bit rates achievable with present day technologies are evaluated. Finally, practical eavesdropping strategies taking advantages of the optical fiber that could open a gate into the transmitter's receiver's offices are discussed.