one-way hash function
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one-way hash function
(algorithm)(Or "message digest function") A one-way function which takes a variable-length message and produces a
fixed-length hash. Given the hash it is computationally
infeasible to find a message with that hash; in fact one can't
determine any usable information about a message with that
hash, not even a single bit. For some one-way hash functions
it's also computationally impossible to determine two messages
which produce the same hash.
A one-way hash function can be private or public, just like an encryption function. MD5, SHA and Snefru are examples of public one-way hash functions.
A public one-way hash function can be used to speed up a public-key digital signature system. Rather than sign a long message, which can take a long time, compute the one-way hash of the message, and sign the hash.
sci.crypt FAQ.
A one-way hash function can be private or public, just like an encryption function. MD5, SHA and Snefru are examples of public one-way hash functions.
A public one-way hash function can be used to speed up a public-key digital signature system. Rather than sign a long message, which can take a long time, compute the one-way hash of the message, and sign the hash.
sci.crypt FAQ.
This article is provided by FOLDOC - Free Online Dictionary of Computing (foldoc.org)
one-way hash function
In cryptography, an algorithm that generates a fixed string of numbers from a text message. The "one-way" means that it is extremely difficult to turn the fixed string back into the text message. One-way hash functions are used for creating digital signatures for message and code authentication. See digital signature, MD5 and SHA.Copyright © 1981-2019 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.