SHA Generator: Understanding Secure Hash Algorithms
What is SHA?
SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) is a family of cryptographic hash functions designed to provide a unique, fixed-size representation of a piece of data. SHA algorithms are widely used for data integrity verification, digital signatures, and various security applications.
Types of SHA
- SHA-1: Produces a 160-bit hash value. While still used, it's considered less secure for cryptographic purposes.
- SHA-256: Part of the SHA-2 family, it generates a 256-bit hash and is widely used in security applications.
- SHA-384: Also part of SHA-2, it produces a 384-bit hash, offering a balance between security and performance.
- SHA-512: The largest SHA-2 variant, creating a 512-bit hash for maximum security.