How Random is Random?

x BlueRobot · Apr 12, 2014

I just read this blog post about questioning randomness in algorithms and cryptography, and it raised some interesting questions. How random is actually random? Surely there must be some kind of pattern, maybe just a very complex pattern?

I liked this comment from a anonymous user:

I was wondering about a problem lately about randomness and I am not sure if the answer to this is already known (or obvious). Let say we have a black box that can return a random number, say in the range [0,1]. If somehow it is possible for us to open the box and see how it works (the algorithm maybe) , does the box loses its "random" nature? I mean if we find out how some object X works, does that reduces the state of X being random? Is randomness equiv to being unknown?

What do you think?

This may also be worth reading - Random Number

niemiro · Apr 12, 2014

Pseudo-Random vs. True Random - Bo Allen

EDIT: Probably should have added a bit of explanation. Basically, the picture says it all when it comes to true-random vs a computer's pseudo random.

jcgriff2 · Apr 12, 2014

The 2 pictures do say it all.

x BlueRobot · Apr 14, 2014

Basically, if it's generated by a mathematical algorithm then it's not really random at all.

Corrine · Apr 14, 2014

I know random/random. He's the developer who created RSIT (random's domain).

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How Random is Random?

x BlueRobot

Administrator

niemiro

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert

jcgriff2

Co-Founder / Admin
BSOD Instructor/Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

x BlueRobot

Administrator

Corrine

Administrator,
Microsoft MVP,
Security Analyst

How Random is Random?

x BlueRobot

Administrator

niemiro

Senior Administrator, Windows Update Expert

jcgriff2

Co-Founder / AdminBSOD Instructor/ExpertMicrosoft MVP (Ret.)

x BlueRobot

Administrator

Corrine

Administrator, Microsoft MVP, Security Analyst

Co-Founder / Admin
BSOD Instructor/Expert
Microsoft MVP (Ret.)

Administrator,
Microsoft MVP,
Security Analyst