Hashing

What is hashing?

Hashing is a process in which data is converted into a fixed character string using a mathematical algorithm. This character string, known as the hash value, represents the original data but cannot be converted back into it. Hashing is often used to secure passwords, verify data integrity and in blockchain technologies.

Advantages and application examples

A major advantage of hashing is the speed and efficiency of data processing. It enables data changes to be identified quickly, as even minor modifications result in a completely different hash value. Typical hashing algorithms are SHA-256 and MD5. Hashing is used in data processing, cryptography and when storing passwords in databases.