Understand Java Security EGD JVM Option

What is the java.security.egd JVM Option?

The java.security.egd JVM option is a command-line option used to specify the source of the "entropy" or randomness used to seed certain security algorithms (such as SecureRandom). Randomness is an important factor in preventing attacks on cryptography systems and other security-related protocols.

Why Is This Option Important?

By default, Java utilizes the system’s default random number generator to generate random numbers for seed values. In some cases, the system's random number generator might not be of high enoughquality to provide sufficient randomness to protect cryptographic operations. This is where the java.security.egd option comes into play.

How Does the java.security.egd Option Work?

The java.security.egd option allows you to specify the source of entropy. For example, if you use the 'file:/dev/urandom' option, Java will read from the /dev/urandom device and use its entropy as the source of randomness for the SecureRandom generator. Alternatively, you could specify an external service to be used as the source of randomness, such as entropy.cybersource.com.

Conclusion

The java.security.egd option is an important command-line option that can help improve the security of your Java applications. By specifying a higher quality source of randomness, you can prevent potential attacks on cryptographic operations that rely on random numbers. If you are deploying a Java application requiring high-security, we recommend that you take a look at the java.security.egd option and consider using it to ensure your application is as secure as possible.