You might try Applied Cryptography by Bruce Schneier - ISBN 0-471-11709-9 The most common way to generate random numbers is via the Monte Carlo method - a simple timer placed on user input (mouse/keystroke) to generate the seed values. The system is sort of a computer generated roulette wheel.
Another way is to use some form of generated random input device - for example my software uses a fiber-optic receiver that generates random numbers based on the current photon levels taken at high speed sample rates - sampling is done via software at 11Khz. The system not only generates numbers on light values but other factors are in play such as shot and thermal noise. The same system can be upgraded to much higher data sample rates for very large key generation. Yours, Charles R. Smith Softwar Inc. Information Security & Encryption Software PO Box 5146 Midlothian, VA 23112 USA ----- Original Message ----- From: "Liu Wen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 5:14 AM Subject: about random numbers generating > Generating random numbers has always been a big problem. Now I have to > look into this topic in short time, I am reading Art of Computer > Programming , but I am afraid the content is not up-to-date. Is there > any specific web sites or groups working on this? any links or hints > would be appreciated. > > Cheers > Liu
