High Quality Random sources, was: Re: SecuriKey

From: Stephen D. Williams
Date: Sun Jan 11 2004 - 19:44:46 EST


Impossible? I think not. Some "mechanical" devices do exhibit true random capability, especially when enhanced by algorithmic means.
To wit: http://www.lavarand.org/

Let me know if you can prove their methods don't provide a true "high quality" random source.

I'd like to see their code as a module with an automatic test to make sure that the random source is high quality. In this case, that would mean making sure that the cap was not off the camera.

sdw

tabris wrote:

...
I should also mention that the problem with 'generating' an OTP via any mechanical or algorithmic means is impossible as at best an OTP will only be pseudo-random, and therefore with identical inputs (assuming it is possible, which we can assume here for the sake of theory and security), the same OTP can be generated, thus breaking our assumption/necessity of non-deterministic output.

I'd say more but I'm on my way to work.
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tabris
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