What is cryptographic hashing and how does it work?

What is cryptographic hashing and how does it work?

Cryptographic hashing is a process that transforms input data into a fixed-size string of characters, which is typically a hash value. It ensures data integrity and security.

Can you give me an example of a cryptographic hash function?

Sure! A common example is SHA-256, which produces a 256-bit hash value and is widely used in blockchain technology.

What are the main uses of cryptographic hashing?

Cryptographic hashing is used for data integrity verification, password storage, digital signatures, and blockchain transactions.

How does it ensure data integrity?

It ensures data integrity by producing a unique hash for each input; even a small change in the input results in a completely different hash.

Are there any vulnerabilities in cryptographic hashing?

Yes, some older hash functions like MD5 and SHA-1 have known vulnerabilities, making them less secure compared to newer algorithms like SHA-256.