What is the difference between MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512?

They differ in output size and security. MD5 produces a 128-bit (32-character) hash but is considered cryptographically broken. SHA-1 produces 160 bits (40 characters) and is also deprecated for security use. SHA-256 (256 bits / 64 characters) and SHA-512 (512 bits / 128 characters) are part of the SHA-2 family and are still considered secure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hash function?

A hash function is a one-way mathematical function that converts input data of any size into a fixed-size string of characters. The same input always produces the same hash, but it is computationally infeasible to reverse the process.

MD5 vs SHA-1 vs SHA-256 vs SHA-512?

They differ in output size and security. MD5 (128-bit) and SHA-1 (160-bit) are deprecated for security use. SHA-256 (256-bit) and SHA-512 (512-bit) are part of the SHA-2 family and are still considered secure for cryptographic purposes.

Is MD5 still safe to use?

MD5 should not be used for security (passwords, signatures) because collision attacks are practical. It is still fine for non-security uses like checksums, cache keys, or deduplication.