EVOLUTION OF THE CRYPTOGRAPHIC STRENGTH OF PSEUDORANDOM NUMBER GENERATORS

The article is dedicated to a detailed review of pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs), their operating principles, features, advantages, limitations, and various implementation methods. Pseudorandom number generators have become an integral part of modern information security, leveraging advanced cryptographic algorithms to ensure reliability and resistance to attacks. Pseudorandom numbers are widely used in cryptography, simulation, computer games, and many other fields. The main goal of the article is to analyze various methods of generating pseudorandom numbers, their features, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as to study their impact on cryptographic strength. The article begins with the basic principles of PRNG operation, focusing on linear congruential generators (LCGs) as the simplest example. Although LCGs are easy to implement, they have significant limitations in the context of cryptographic security, such as short periods and relative predictability. For higher security requirements, cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generators (CSPRNGs) based on block ciphers, hash functions, or other complex mathematical algorithms are recommended. Additional attention is given to generators such as ChaCha20 and NORX, which demonstrate high speed and resistance to cryptanalytic attacks. Theoretical cryptographic strength is also analyzed for generators based on modified algorithms, such as BBS and BM, supported by the complexity of computational problems. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the critical importance of understanding the operation of various PRNGs for information security professionals, as the choice of generator can significantly impact the overall security level of a system. A comparison of the efficiency and cryptographic strength of different pseudorandom number generation methods is presented in a table, supplemented by program algorithms, their characteristics, and examples of their use in cryptography.