<aside> <img src="/icons/check_gray.svg" alt="/icons/check_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Hashing is the transformation of a string of characters into a usually shorter fixed-length value or key that represents the original string. Hashing is used to index and retrieve items in a database because it is faster to find the item using the shorter hashed key than to find it using the original value. It is also used in many encryption algorithms.

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<aside> <img src="/icons/check_gray.svg" alt="/icons/check_gray.svg" width="40px" /> A Hash Digest is the result of applying a cryptographic hash function to data (e.g., a message)

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Common Hashing Algorithms

• MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)
• SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) Family
• RIPEMD (RACE Integrity Primitive Evaluation Message Digest)
• HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code)

Digital Signatures

A digital signature is a mathematical technique used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a digital document, message or software.

Common Digital Signature Algorithms

• DSA (Digital Security Algorithm)
  • Utilized for digital signatures
  • Uses a 160-bit message digest created by DSS (Digital Security Standard)
• RSA
  • Supports digital signatures, encryption, and key distribution
  • Widely used in various applications, include code signing