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Download Ebook In today’s increasing online threats protecting sensitive information like passwords and credit card details is no brainer. Everyone knows how important it’s to protect such information. Everyone who uses the internet would agree that security breaches are major causes of endless financial strife and customer dissatisfaction. Whereas security is concerned if anyone has paid
even a little attention towards cybersecurity, they might have come across the term encryption and hashing. But that’s a truth that many people still don’t know what it’s, and if it’s known, many times it’s confused with each other. However, it’s understandable to come across such misperception, especially for those who’re not into the cybersecurity, because Hashing and Encryption both are considered as two sides of the same coin. They both are
used for encoding data in a manner that prevents access by any cyber crooks. Today we’ll talk about what’s hashing and encryption and how both differ from each other furthermore, if you’ve any questions regarding this topic – Hashing vs Encryption. Here, you’ll find your answers. Hashing is one of the practices that use an algorithm for mapping data of any random size to a fixed size, which is known as the hash value.
In other words, Hashing is the process for converting any given input of variable length into a fixed size consisting of letters and numbers with the help of a mathematical function. Hashing provides a mapping between any arbitrary length input and gives the output of fixed length. And, it can help by anything from a simple crc32 to full cryptographic hash function like MD5 or SHA1/2/256/512. The essential thing to note is that it’s a one-way mapping. It always has many: 1 mapping, which means there will be collisions because every function produces a small output capable of input. For example, 1 MB file fed into MD5 will give numerous collisions. They’re the computing function that is practically impossible to reverse due to their internal working. Most cryptographic hash functions iterate over the input that is set numerous times for producing output. For instance, if we look at every fixed-length data of input (which is usually dependant on the algorithm), the hash function will call the current state. Further, it’ll iterate over the state and change it to the brand new, and it’ll use it as feedback into itself. So, if there are 512 bits of data, MD5 will do it for 64 times. Furthermore, it’ll combine all the resulting state of these iterations to form the hash value. Moreover, the hash value has to maintain certain attributes like:
Different Types of Hash FunctionThere are different types of hash algorithms that are used for computing data. Though, some of them have been discarded due to vulnerabilities. Below are some of the Hashing algorithm examples: MD4MD4 is a hash function algorithm made by Ronald Rivest in 1990. It offers a length of 128 bits and has influenced many posterior designs such as WMD5, WSHA, and WRIPEMD family. However, it wasn’t secured enough, and it was even criticized by the creator also. SHA AlgorithmSHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) designed by the NSA (National Security Agency) was used for the digital signature algorithm that consists of 160 bits length. It has three different variants SHA-0, SHA-1, and SHA-2. Among these three, SHA-0 and SHA-1 has been deprecated due to vulnerabilities issues. And, SHA-2(256-bit) algorithm got into practice for most of the SSL/TLS cipher suites. RIPMENDDesigned by Hans Dobbertin, RIPEMEND is a cryptographic hashing algorithm that has 160 bits length. It’s developed in the EU framework project RIPE. WHIRLPOOLDesigned by Vincent Rijmen and Paul Barreto, WHIRLPOOL is an algorithm with a length of 2256 bits that produces the digest of 512-bit. TIGERIt is developed by Ross Anderson and Eli Biham in 1996. It’s a relatively new and fast algorithm that’s used by modern computers. It offers an improved 192-bit hashing function that’s capable of hashing more than 132M bits per second. So far, it hasn’t suffered any vulnerabilities issues. But, there’s another Tiger2 variant too, which slightly differs. It pads the message with a hexadecimal value 0x80 rather than 0x01, which is done in Tiger. Here’s the Main Purpose Behind Hashing
What’s Encryption?Encryption is the practice of turning data or information into an unreadable format that can later be converted to readable format only by the person who has the corresponding key. Encryption is a two-way function that helps you achieve Encryption of certain information to be decrypted and converted into a readable format later on. It provides a 1: 1 mapping between arbitrary length input and output, which are always reversible. The important thing to note over here is that it’s reversible with the help of some methods, and it’s always 1: 1 for any given key. Put simply, it helps to protect your sensitive information from unauthorized access by cybercriminals or anyone else who doesn’t have the right to access it. It’s an effective way to achieve data security, where the receiver needs to have a security key for decrypting and reading that encrypted information. Also, encrypted data is called ciphertext, whereas data that’s not encrypted is called plain text. Moreover, other encryption systems are called as public-key Encryption, symmetric Encryption, and hybrid Encryption. 1. Symmetric EncryptionIn the symmetric encryption algorithm, the same secret key is used for encrypting and decrypting the message. And the secret key can be a word, number, or even random letters. Also, to successfully execute this algorithm, both the sender and receiver should share the same key. It’s one of the oldest encryption techniques. 2. Asymmetric EncryptionAsymmetric Encryption, also known as public-key cryptography, consists of two keys. One publicly available public key and another is a private key, which is only with the receiver. Here, the public key is used for encrypting the data, whereas the private key is used for decrypting it. And, Asymmetric Encryption is slower compared to the Symmetric Encryption and requires more processing power while encrypting any given data. 3. Hybrid EncryptionAs the name implies, it’s a blend of both the encryption algorithm symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Its advantage is that it strengthens the data protection by two encryption methods while eliminating any weakness. Here’s the Main Purpose Behind EncryptionThe main reason for Encryption is to protect data from any unauthorized access. Encryption helps to enhance security while sending a message via a given network on the Internet. Encryption helps achieve elements of security like:
Apart from this, some of the popular encryption algorithms are AES and PGP. Here, AES is an example of a symmetric encryption algorithm, whereas PGP is an example of an asymmetric encryption algorithm. Hashing vs Encryption – Here’s the DifferenceHashing is useful for validating the content’s integrity by detecting all the alterations and then changes to a hash value as an output. And, Encryption is useful for encoding data for the purpose of maintaining confidentiality and security of the data. It needs a private key for decrypting the encrypted data. Let’s have a side by side comparison of both to know the difference between the two. Hashing vs Encryption – Side by Side Comparison
SummaryTo sum it up, hashing and encryption are for data encoding purposes, so data can’t be misused by any unauthorized entity such as any cybercriminals. At the same time, it is being transferred and making it available only to the privileged persons. But that’s also a truth that both are different from each other. In other words, hashing is for validating the integrity of the content by detecting modifications, whereas encryption helps to encode data for maintaining security and data confidentiality. Here, in this piece of article, we’ve detailed out about this topic. For instance, what hashing or encryption means, what algorithms are used for encrypting data, the types of hashing methods, which to use when, the purpose behind it, and side by side comparison. Important Resources to ReadAboutSSL’s Best StuffDisclosure: AboutSSL appreciates your continuous support. It helps us tremendously to keep moving in the competitive SSL industry. Here most of the links which direct you to buy any SSL/TLS related service or products earns us a certain percentage of referral commission. Learn More What type of cryptographic operation's are non reversible?Encryption algorithms take input and a secret key and generate a random looking output called a ciphertext. This operation is reversible. Anyone who knows or obtains the secret key can decrypt the ciphertext and read the original input. Hashing functions are not reversible.
What are the main purposes of aicpa cybersecurity risk management framework quizlet?What are the main purposes of AICPA cybersecurity risk management framework? Evaluate a company's cybersecurity controls. Describe a company's cybersecurity risk management system. Select correct statements regarding "digital signature."
What is the common practice in using symmetric key encryption and asymmetric key encryption methods in conducting e business?What is the common practice in using symmetric-key encryption and asymmetric-key encryption methods in conducting e-business? - Both parties use the asymmetric-key encryption method to distribute the symmetric key securely. - Both parties use the asymmetric-key encryption method to authenticate each other.
Why do we need to use digital signatures in conducting e business?ARE DIGITAL SIGNATURES NEEDED? Digital signatures are essential to protect the authenticity, integrity and privacy of online transactions. Online enterprises need to ensure that they receive accurate and verifiable information regarding the person who attempts to use their services.
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