Hashing

1. What is Hashing?

• The most commonly used encryption method

• Unlike other encryption methods that can be decrypted, hashing can only encrypt

• Encryption is performed using hash functions

• Hash function characteristics

  • Always returns a string of the same length

  • When the same hash function is used on different strings, different results are guaranteed

  • When the same hash function is used on identical strings, the same result is always produced

• Rainbow table

  • A table created to find out values before they go through hash functions, using the characteristic that the same result always comes out

  • Can be a security threat

• Salt

  • Adds random values to values before hashing to make them difficult to figure out

• Purpose of hashing

  • Not to use the data itself, but to verify whether the same value data is being used

  • Even without knowing the exact value, if the hashed values match, login requests can be processed using only the hashed value

  • In other words, a one-way encryption method that reduces the risk of data leakage while verifying validity in situations where sensitive data must be handled