[Cryptography] The ultimate random source

[dj at deadhat.com]

> On Feb 7, 2014, at 11:14 AM, Phillip Hallam-Baker <hallam at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I have a solution to the random number generator problem that can be
>> built for about $50 and is completely verifiable.
>>
>> Parts
>>
>> 1 Web Cam capable of focusing at a distance of 6" or less (can use a
>> correcting lens if necessary) neither resolution nor quality is
>> critical.
>>
>> 1 Conical flask as used in chemistry, about 6" high.
>>
>> 1 packet multicolored candies (smarties, skittles)
>>
>>
>> Process
>>
>> 1) Dump the candies in the flask, shake, take a photograph with the
>> camera, take the SHA256 hash of the photograph to acquire the 256 bit
>> seed.
>>
>> 2) Shake flask vigorously, repeat step 1 as needed
>>
>> 3) Eat the candies
> And in the latest Snowden leak, it's revealed that the NSA, with help from
> GCHQ, BND, has for years been infiltrating the makers of colorful candies,
> and of chemistry flasks.  (The latter actually started after the anthrax
> scares of 2001.  Western intelligence organizations have had trouble
> infiltrating the Web cam makers as the Chinese were already in place
> there.)
>
>                                                         -- Jerry :-)
>
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I'm currently learning how to write Android programs so I can write an
entropy extractor and random number generator using the camera and all the
other physical sensors.

Of course a phone is no place to hold a secure random number. But it's a
fun project to learn android programming.