How can I generate a secure random number in an Azure Worker Role?

Question

I know to use the RNGCryptoServiceProvider, but is there anything special that I need to do to ensure that it's not using the same seed each time (such as at start-up)? Do I need to pull some data from outside sources on initialization? Or does the system do this for me?

Answer 1

Great Microsoft documentation, could not find anything about the algorithm or the seeding.

Wikipedia to the rescue:

Windows developers have several alternative means of accessing the CryptGenRandom functionality; these alternatives invoke the same algorithm and share the same security characteristics, but may have other advantages.

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Using RNGCryptoServiceProvider

Programmers using .NET should use the RNGCryptoServiceProvider Class

Note that Wikipedia seems outdated, for more up to date information, check the Microsoft pages of the CryptGenRandom function

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Note that this answer is only valid if you actually get the Microsoft CSP that uses the CryptGenRandom function. If you are on a non-Windows platform, or if you are refering to a different CSP, then check out those specific runtime configurations.