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Hash Function

A secure hash function is an algorithm that maps data of arbitrary size to a bit array of fixed size. Hash functions are one-way algorithms, making it computationally impractical to reverse-engineer the input data corresponding to a desired hash value. Therefore, in cryptography and information security, hash functions are used to verify data integrity, generate and validate digital signatures, identify data, and more. Locker uses the SHA-256 hash function for all hashing operations in the system. SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256) is a variant belonging to the SHA-2 family — a group of secure hash functions designed by the United States National Security Agency (NSA) in 2001. It is a secure hash function with a 256-bit output that is virtually unique and irreversible. SHA-256 is not significantly more complex than the previous generation SHA-1 hash functions, but to date, SHA-256’s 256-bit keys have not been cracked.