Understanding Hashing Algorithms: MD5 vs SHA-256
Hashing plays a huge role in how our digital world stays secure. From verifying passwords to securing blockchain transactions, hashing algorithms are like the behind-the-scenes guardians of data integrity. Two of the most well-known algorithms in this space are MD5 and SHA-256. But how do they actually work? And more importantly — which one should you use? Let’s break it all down in simple, non-geeky terms. What Is Hashing Anyway? Imagine stuffing a document into a magical machine that spits out a unique string of letters and numbers. No matter how many times you feed it the same input, it gives the exact same output. Change even one character, and you get a completely different result. That’s hashing. Unlike encryption, hashing is one-way. You can’t reverse it and figure out the original data. That’s what makes it perfect for storing passwords or checking file integrity — because you don’t need to know the content, just whether it has changed. Meet MD5 – The OG of Hashing...