Hash Generator Guide

What are Cryptographic Hashes?

Cryptographic hash functions convert data of any size into a fixed-size string of characters. They're one-way functions—you can't reverse a hash to get the original data.

Hash Algorithms

SHA-1 (160-bit)

Status: Legacy, no longer considered secure for cryptographic purposes.

Uses: Git commits, checksums, legacy systems.

Output: 40 hexadecimal characters (160 bits).

SHA-256 (256-bit)

Status: Secure and widely used.

Uses: Bitcoin, SSL certificates, password hashing, file verification.

Output: 64 hexadecimal characters (256 bits).

SHA-384 (384-bit)

Status: Secure, truncated version of SHA-512.

Uses: Applications requiring higher security than SHA-256.

Output: 96 hexadecimal characters (384 bits).

SHA-512 (512-bit)

Status: Most secure SHA-2 variant.

Uses: Maximum security applications, long-term data integrity.

Output: 128 hexadecimal characters (512 bits).

Common Use Cases

1. File Integrity Verification

Verify downloaded files haven't been tampered with by comparing hashes.

2. Password Storage

Store password hashes (with salt) instead of plain text passwords.

3. Digital Signatures

Create unique identifiers for documents and verify authenticity.

4. Blockchain

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies use SHA-256 for transaction verification.

5. Data Deduplication

Identify duplicate files by comparing their hashes.

Hash Properties

• Deterministic: Same input always produces same output
• Fast: Quick to compute
• One-way: Cannot reverse to get original data
• Avalanche Effect: Small change in input drastically changes output
• Collision Resistant: Hard to find two inputs with same hash

Important Security Notes

Best Practices

• Use SHA-256 or higher for new applications
• Always use salt when hashing passwords
• Store hashes, never plain text
• Verify file integrity by comparing hashes
• Use HMAC for message authentication