Yarrow-160: Notes on the design and analysis of the yarrow cryptographic pseudorandom number generator

Abstract

We describe the design of Yarrow, a family of cryptographicpseudo-random number generators (PRNG). We describe the concept ofa PRNG as a separate cryptographic primitive, and the design principlesused to develop Yarrow. We then discuss the ways that PRNGs can failin practice, which motivates our discussion of the components of Yarrowand how they make Yarrow secure. Next, we define a specific instanceof a PRNG in the Yarrow family that makes use of available technologytoday. We conclude with a brief listing of open questions and intendedimprovements in future releases.