12. File Hashes/Digital Signatures

File Hashes/Digital Signatures

Recap:

• File Hashing transforms blocks of data into a far shorter length to represent the original string.
• It is not encryption. Hashing is a one-way function.
• Common Types of Hashes:
  • MD5 Message Digest 5 - mainly retired due to collisions which are the risk of a duplicate hash.
  • SHA2 Secure Hashing Algorithm 2. When you think SHA256, this is it.

Key Terms

• File Hash: is the process of using an algorithm for verifying the integrity of a computer file.
• Collision: is a situation that occurs when two distinct pieces of data have the same hash value.

Walkthrough Part 1: Digital Signatures

Walkthrough Part 2: File Hash Feature

Additional Resources:

• SHA Info
• MD5 Info
• File Hash Info