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Let $G$ $PRG$ and $G'(s)$ equal to the first $n$-bits of $G(s)$, where $|s| = n$. Show that $F_k(x) = G'(k) ⊕ x$ is not a $PRF$.

My attempt:
Lets assume a $k$ and 2 messages $x_1$ and $x_2$. So, for $x_1$ I have $F_k(x_1) = G'(k) ⊕ x_1$, for $x_2$ we have $F_k(x_2) = G'(k) ⊕ x_2$. If the attacker does $F_k(x_1) ⊕ F_k(x_2)$ he gets $x_1 ⊕ x_2$. And then he can simply $XOR$ that by $x_1$ or $x_2$ and then get the message from that.

I have no idea if this is the correct way to prove this. Can you give my any hint if this is the correct way to show that a function is not $PRF$, maybe I have to do a proof by contradiction ?

EDIT:

I also know that a $PRG$ must not be predictable, if it is then that's not good, so for the function $F$ to use $G'$ as the $PRG$ which is always the first $n$-bits of $G$ it's not good because it violates the pseudorandomness property. I don't know if this is correct or helpful at all.

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For something to be a PRF, it must be impossible for a probabilistic polynomial time algorithm to distinguish it from a random function. The distinguisher you note in your attempt is correct, as a random function would not have that property (xor two calls with the same key but different x values and you get the xor of the two x values).

As a side note, these notes are very good when it comes to PRFs. Especially 3.3 and 3.4.

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  • $\begingroup$ so if my proof correct? therefore $F$ is not $PRF$, right ? $\endgroup$
    – southpaw22
    Commented Jun 8, 2016 at 18:43
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    $\begingroup$ @southpaw22 I think the way you present your work as a distinguisher that proves not PRF could be clearer. I had to read it a few times to see how what you were doing was a distinguisher. But, you did find the correct distinguisher. $\endgroup$
    – mikeazo
    Commented Jun 8, 2016 at 18:45

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