| Walt Mankowski on 4 Mar 2007 20:50:28 -0000 |
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On Sun, Mar 04, 2007 at 02:20:39PM -0500, Matthew Rosewarne wrote: > Yes, deniability is the idea behind randomising the disk. However, the reason > I'm using this Daemon instead of simply "cat /dev/dsp > /dev/sda" is because > it doesn't simply write the audio data, just like the kernel's existing > entropy drivers don't just write network traffic & keyboard input. The > daemon measures the difference between the left & right channels (hence the > need for stereo) and runs the result through various scrambling operations (I > think SHA-1 is one operation). The resulting random data stream, while it > certainly won't be much of a workout for your disk, is a great deal larger > than what you might get from other sources. Try it and see. > > Of course, what would be much better would be to use a real hardware RNG, but > unfortunately an FM radio is more in my price range... I think you misunderstood me. I wasn't asking why this daemon is better than /dev/dsp. I was wondering why you want to use it at all instead of just using /dev/urandom. > Well, the actual random data has to come from somewhere, and /dev/random > blocks unless it actually has entropy to provide. Most people recommend > using /dev/urandom which is closer to that approach, but I'm in no hurry. You'll get some random entropy when you type in the command. /dev/urandom will use that up and then use the kernel's random number generator. I guess I don't understand why you think this radio scheme is a better approach than that. The /dev/urandom approach is a lot simpler and will have exactly the same effect of randomizing the disk. > > > * What do you have against Prairie Home Companion, anyway? > My problem is that NPR is IMO the only decent thing on the radio, that is > unless they're playing Keillor's inane, faux-folk claptrap. The same applies > to This American Life too. I personally couldn't think of a better source of > random garbage data than either of these shows. Wow, I think someone isn't getting enough ketchup in his diet... :) Walt Attachment:
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