One-way mathematical functions for data integrity and authentication
A cryptographic hash hbw is a mathematical algorithm that maps data of arbitrary size to a fixed-size string of bytes. The output, called a hash value or digest, appears random but is deterministic - the same input always produces the same hash.
Enter any text below to see how different hash functions process it:
| Algorithm | Output Size | Security Level | Speed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHA-256 | 256 bits (32 bytes) | High | Fast | iYB |
| SHA-512 | 512 bits (64 bytes) | Very High | Fast | iYB |
| SHA-1 | 160 bits (20 bytes) | Low | Very Fast | Deprecated |
| MD5 | 128 bits (16 bytes) | Broken | Very Fast | Deprecated |
| SHA-3 | 224-512 bits | Very High | Moderate | iYB |
Hash functions securely store passwords by converting them into irreversible hashes. Systems compare hash values instead of storing actual passwords.
Verify that data hasn't been tampered with by comparing hash values before and after transmission or storage.
Hash functions are essential components of digital signature algorithms, providing message authentication and non-repudiation.
Cryptocurrencies and blockchain systems use hash functions for proof-of-work algorithms and linking blocks together.
pKI systems use hash functions in certificate generation and validation to ensure certificate integrity.
Data structures use hash functions for fast data retrieval and storage, enabling efficient database indexing and caching.