HASHES.PRO

Hash functions are cryptographic algorithms that convert data of arbitrary size into a fixed-size output (hash). They are designed to be one-way functions, meaning it should be computationally infeasible to reverse the process.

Key characteristics of hash functions:

• Deterministic: Same input always produces the same output
• Fixed output size: Regardless of input size
• One-way function: Cannot easily derive input from output
• Avalanche effect: Small changes in input produce significantly different outputs

Supported hash algorithms:

• MD5: 128-bit hash (32 hex chars) - Note: Considered cryptographically broken
• SHA-1: 160-bit hash (40 hex chars) - Note: Vulnerable to collision attacks
• SHA-256: 256-bit hash (64 hex chars) - Widely used, considered secure
• SHA-512: 512-bit hash (128 hex chars) - Higher security than SHA-256
• SHA-3: Modern hash function with variable output sizes

Common uses:

• File integrity checking
• Password storage (with proper salting)
• Digital signatures
• Data identification