Important Notes
File size can affect the speed of hash value calculation. Please be patient.
About the SHA-256 File Hash Checksum
The SHA-256 File Hash Checksum quickly computes the SHA-256 hash value of files to ensure their integrity and tamper-proofing.
Note: SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a hash function from the SHA-2 family, designed by the National Security Agency (NSA) and published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It processes input data of any size into a fixed length (256-bit, 32 bytes) unique hash value (usually represented as a 64-digit hexadecimal number). This process is irreversible, making it nearly impossible to derive the original data from the hash value. SHA-256 is designed to ensure data integrity and verification, and is widely used in encryption technologies.
• Features
Fixed-Length Output: SHA-256 always produces a hash value of 256 bits (32 bytes), regardless of the input data size.
Uniqueness: Even minor differences in input result in vastly different hash values, a phenomenon known as the avalanche effect.
Irreversibility: It is impossible to deduce the original data from the hash value, ensuring data security.
High Efficiency: Compared to other hashing algorithms, SHA-256 operates faster on modern computing devices, efficiently processing large volumes of data.
Broad Support: Many programming languages and cryptographic libraries support the SHA-256 algorithm, making it widely applicable.
• Use Cases
Data Integrity Verification: To ensure that files are not altered during transmission or storage, the sender provides the file's SHA-256 hash value. Upon downloading or receiving the file, executing a SHA-256 check and comparing it with the original hash verifies the file's integrity.
Digital Signatures: In digital signing, SHA-256 is used to create a digest of the message, which is then encrypted with a private key. The corresponding public key decrypts it to verify the message's integrity and origin.
Password Storage: Systems enhance security by storing the SHA-256 hash of passwords instead of plaintext. Identity verification involves hashing the entered password and comparing it with the stored hash.
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency: SHA-256 is a core algorithm in Bitcoin and various cryptocurrencies, crucial for the mining process and ensuring the immutability of transaction records.
Security Protocols: In security communication protocols like TLS and SSL, SHA-256 is used to ensure the integrity and security of data transfers.