Software → Security
Cryptographic Hash
A hash function designed to resist collisions, preimage attacks, and tampering.
Motivation
Cryptographic hash solves the problem of producing a fingerprint that is hard to forge or reverse.
Where it fits
Cryptographic Hash belongs to security and cryptography.
Mental model
It maps data to a digest while aiming for preimage resistance, collision resistance, and tamper evidence.
Common mistakes
- Confusing hashing with encryption.
- Using fast hashes directly for passwords.
Related concepts
Cryptographic Hash connects to digital signature, password hashing, TLS, and integrity checks.