Secure random number agreement for peer-to-peer applications

Abstract

We propose a protocol for a group of peers in a peer-to-peer network to securely generate an agreed random value without the use of a central authority. We can vary the security parameters to maintain security (to a desired probability) in the presence of a high percentage of corrupt and colluding peers. We envision using this protocol to generate random content in a peer-to-peer game. It could also be used for generating input into peer-to-peer protocols that require random values, such as group selection. © 2007 IEEE.