What are Hashes?

Hashing is the process of converting data of any size into fixed-length values. Hash functions create unique "digital fingerprints" of data that are:

• One-way: You cannot retrieve the original data from a hash.
• Deterministic: The same input will always produce the same hash.
• Fast to compute: Hashes can be generated quickly.
• Collision-resistant: It's extremely difficult to find two different inputs that produce the same hash.

Common uses for hashes include:

• Verifying file integrity
• Storing passwords securely
• Digital signatures
• Checking data integrity
• Data identification