Random Number Generation on Handheld Devices for Cryptographic ApplicationsA. W. MontvilleM.S. Thesis, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Oregon State University, May 21, 2003.AbstractRandom number generation is important in many fields today. It is particularly important in the field of cryptography when generating nonce values, cryptographic keys, and other data required in many cryptographic applications. The proliferation of small, handheld devices that are typically connected to large networks via a wireless connection requires stringent security. Because it may be easier to attack a pseudorandom number generator than to attack a particular cryptosystem, it is important that the generation of random numbers on handheld devices be as secure as possible. In order for the random number generator to provide good, secure random data, it must first be seeded by a value that, itself, possesses the qualities of a good random sequence. This paper explores several potential seed sources that are available on many current handheld devices. |