In this post we will learn what is hashing or what is a hash? We will try to explain hash function in cryptography. This term is a security term used in Information technology.
So what is hashing? What is hash? Hashing is basically converting a key to another key. In cryptography, we use hash functions to generate a new value from a given value with the help of different mathematical algorithms. So, there can be different hashing algorithms.
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What about hash? What is hash? Hash is basically the value of any hash function or algorithm. It is the result.
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Why We Use Hashing?
In cryptograpgy or in other IT areas, hashing is used through one way. In other words we use hashs from one node to another once. From the opposite direction, we can not convert it to the original one.
We have learned what is hashing and what is a hash? Now it is time to talk about the areas that we use this algorithms. Hashing is used in different areas. One of the area that we use hashing is in data or media compression. We use hashs with compressions to reduce the file sizes and benefit lower disk spaces. We reduce file sizes with these hashs into smaller parts.
Another areas that we use hashs is integrity check of the files. We use this checksum mechanism in the communication process between different nodes. The same checksum is used by both end and hashing is use dto create these checksums.
One of the most important area that we use has is data encryption. All the passwords are stored as hashed versions in the databases. Becasue, with plain text, malicious people can learn these passwords and us efor their malicious aims. But with hashed passwords, we can avoid this problem. There are different cryptographic hashes for this purpses. These are MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2 etc.
How Hashing Works?
We have learned what is a hash? What is hashing. Now, let ‘s learn how hashing works. Hashing is basically a function that converts a text into an array consist of letters and numbers with the help of a mathematical algorithm. There are three term that are important about hashing operation. These are:
- Input value
- Hashing Algorithm
- Output Value (Hash Value)
Input value is the data at the beginning. There is no hashing in this part.
Hashing algorithm is the hash function that does the mathematical calculations for hashing.
Output value or hash value is the value that is produced as a result.
In hashing, it is impossible to create same hash value with different inputs.
In this post, we have learned, what is hashing, what is a hash in this article. We have also talked about the areas that we use hashing.
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