Hash functions create unique "fingerprints" of data that cannot be reversed to reveal the original input.
Common algorithms
- SHA-256, SHA-512 for general-purpose hashing.
- bcrypt, Argon2 for password hashing with built-in salting.
- MD5, SHA-1 are deprecated due to collision vulnerabilities.
Use cases
- Verify file integrity after downloads.
- Store passwords securely without keeping plaintext.
- Create digital signatures and certificates.
- Detect duplicate data without comparing full content.
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