Hash Generator (SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512)

What are Cryptographic Hashes?

A cryptographic hash function takes an input (like your text) and returns a fixed-size string of characters, which is the "hash". Good hash functions have key properties:

• Deterministic: The same input always produces the same hash.
• One-way: It's practically impossible to figure out the original input from the hash.
• Collision Resistant: It's extremely difficult to find two different inputs that produce the same hash.

These properties make them useful for security and data management.

Common Hashing Algorithms

MD5: A very old hash function. **Widely considered insecure** due to known collision vulnerabilities. Should **not** be used for security purposes (like password storage), but might be seen in legacy systems or for basic, non-critical checksums.

SHA-1: An older algorithm, now considered insecure for many applications due to known weaknesses. Still sometimes used for legacy systems or basic integrity checks.

SHA-256: Part of the SHA-2 family, widely used and currently considered secure. Common in blockchain technology and SSL certificates.

SHA-384: Another SHA-2 variant, offering a longer hash for increased security over SHA-256.

SHA-512: Provides the longest hash in the standard SHA-2 family, often used where maximum security is needed.

Important Note on Security

While Tooly can generate these hashes, remember that algorithms like **MD5 and SHA-1** are **strongly not recommended** for security-critical applications like password hashing due to known vulnerabilities. Always use strong, modern algorithms (like SHA-256 or better) and techniques like salting for password storage.