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SHA-2 / SHA-256
A widely trusted family of cryptographic hash functions that turn any data into a fixed-size fingerprint.
SHA-2 is a set of secure hash algorithms (SHA-256 produces a 256-bit digest) designed so that the same input always yields the same fingerprint, but finding two inputs that collide or reversing the hash is infeasible. This makes it the workhorse for verifying integrity, signing, and password storage. It replaced the now-broken SHA-1.
See also
- SHA-1An older cryptographic hash function now considered broken and kept only for backward compatibility.
- SHA-256/384/512The SHA-2 hash family at three output sizes — 256, 384, or 512 bits — trading speed for a longer fingerprint.
- RSAA classic public-key cryptography system where a public key encrypts or verifies and a separate private key decrypts or signs.