How Hash Functions Work
Making a one-way 'fingerprint' of data
A hash function turns any text or file into a fixed-length value, like a fingerprint. You cannot turn it back into the original data.
What you'll learn from this poster
- What is a hash?Input becomes a fixed-length value / same input always gives the same result / different inputs usually give different results
- One-way (not reversible)You cannot recover the original from the result / this differs from encryption (which can be reversed)
- A tiny change, a big differenceChange one character and the result is completely different / so tampering can be detected
- Where is it used?Checking that a file is not corrupted / storing passwords safely / making IDs for data
A hash is a one-way 'fingerprint' of data
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