What is Hashing?
Hashing is the process of converting input data of any size into a fixed-size string of bytes. The output, known as the hash, is typically a string of numbers and letters. Here are the main types we support:
- MD5: A widely used hash function producing a 128-bit hash value. Despite being considered cryptographically broken for many purposes, it's still used for file verification and checksums.
- SHA-1: Produces a 160-bit hash value. While it's also considered weak for security purposes, it's still prevalent in some systems.
- SHA-256: Part of the SHA-2 set, it offers a 256-bit hash value, providing a higher level of security than MD5 or SHA-1, making it suitable for digital signatures and security applications.
Why Use Hash Functions?
Hash functions like MD5 and SHA are used for:
- Password verification without storing the actual passwords.
- Ensuring file integrity during transfers or storage.
- Checksums to verify data integrity.
- Cryptographic applications where the hash needs to be unique and tamper-evident.
How Secure Are These Hashes?
While MD5 and SHA-1 have known vulnerabilities making them less secure for critical security applications, SHA-256 remains robust. Here's a quick overview:
- MD5 - No longer considered secure against well-funded attackers, but still useful for non-cryptographic purposes.
- SHA-1 - Has been deprecated for use in security contexts due to collision vulnerabilities.
- SHA-256 - Recommended for modern security practices due to its strength against attacks.