Cryptographically Secure Pseudo Random Number Generation vs Non-Cryptographic PRNG

Developers should learn and use CSPRNG when building systems that require high security, such as generating encryption keys, session tokens, passwords, or nonces in protocols like TLS or OAuth meets developers should use non-cryptographic prngs when they need efficient random number generation for tasks like monte carlo simulations, procedural content generation in games, or random sampling in data analysis, where predictability or security is not a concern. Here's our take.

Cryptographically Secure Pseudo Random Number Generation

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use CSPRNG when building systems that require high security, such as generating encryption keys, session tokens, passwords, or nonces in protocols like TLS or OAuth

Pros

• It is essential in applications like blockchain, secure communications, and financial software to prevent attacks like brute-force or prediction-based exploits
• Related to: cryptography, security-engineering

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Non-Cryptographic PRNG

Developers should use non-cryptographic PRNGs when they need efficient random number generation for tasks like Monte Carlo simulations, procedural content generation in games, or random sampling in data analysis, where predictability or security is not a concern

Pros

• They are ideal for scenarios requiring high throughput and reproducibility, as the same seed produces identical sequences, aiding in debugging and testing
• Related to: cryptographic-prng, random-number-generation

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Cryptographically Secure Pseudo Random Number Generation if: You want it is essential in applications like blockchain, secure communications, and financial software to prevent attacks like brute-force or prediction-based exploits and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Non-Cryptographic PRNG if: You prioritize they are ideal for scenarios requiring high throughput and reproducibility, as the same seed produces identical sequences, aiding in debugging and testing over what Cryptographically Secure Pseudo Random Number Generation offers.

The Bottom Line

Cryptographically Secure Pseudo Random Number Generation wins

Developers should learn and use CSPRNG when building systems that require high security, such as generating encryption keys, session tokens, passwords, or nonces in protocols like TLS or OAuth