We work with a number of partners to show you ads for PayPal products and services. The partners listed here may use your information according to their privacy policies. You can control how these partners use your information with the links below.

Currency

Language

Are you sure you want to remove this product from your bag?

Order note

Please input a complete address form content

Marketing partners

See our partners

Example title

Activate account

Protects packages against loss, theft or damage during transit

Sign up for emails to receive updates, get exclusive deals and more.

User Center

xuyunhan

Understanding SHA-256 Algorithm: Discover Top Minable Coins!

BLOG EM

<div class='sa_b_component_richtext_unique'>
  <style>
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique p {
            margin: 0;
        }
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique img {
            max-width: 100%;
            margin-bottom: 20px;
        }
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique table {
            max-width: 100%;
            min-height: 80px;
            margin-bottom: 20px;
            overflow: auto;
        }
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique td {
            padding: 12px;
        }
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique ul {
            margin-left: 20px;
        }
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique ol {
            margin-left: 20px;
        }
       .sa_b_component_richtext_unique li::marker {
            font-size: 16px;
        }
    </style>
    <h2 data-rocket-lazy-bg-05a08880-be57-43f1-adf2-5e2d111b3222="loaded">What is SHA-256?</h2>
<p>The Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256) is the most used hashing algorithm in cryptographic security. The algorithm processes the input data through a refined mathematical function, generating a unique output hash of a fixed size of 256 bits. The output hash is used as a digital signature as it depicts the original data.</p>
<p>The National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States introduced SHA-256 in 2001 as a successor to the SHA-1, which was vulnerable to attacks. Since the SHA-256 produces a fixed string of characters regardless of the input data, it is highly secure. For instance, the SHA-256 generates a hash of 256 bits long, making it computationally challenging for anyone to retrieve the original input from the hash value, keeping the data integrity intact.</p>
<p><span id="How_does_SHA_256_work_"></span></p>
<h2 data-rocket-lazy-bg-05a08880-be57-43f1-adf2-5e2d111b3222="loaded">How does SHA-256 work?</h2>
<p>SHA-256, as a secure hashing algorithm, processes the input data by passing it through a series of mathematical operations. The input can either be a four-letter password or many pages of a book &mdash; the SHA-256 algorithm creates the same 256-bit hash value.</p>
<p>Even if you make a slight change in the input, like one character, the output will be entirely different. Thus, it is highly challenging for attackers to reverse engineer the hash and find the original data, making the algorithm highly secure.</p>
<p><span id="What_are_the_Characteristics_of_the_SHA_256_algorithm_"></span></p>
<h2 data-rocket-lazy-bg-05a08880-be57-43f1-adf2-5e2d111b3222="loaded">What are the Characteristics of the SHA-256 algorithm?</h2>
<p>Let&rsquo;s see the prominent characteristics of the SHA-256 algorithm.</p>
<ul>
<li><span id="Unique_Output"></span>
<h3>Unique Output</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The prime characteristic of the SHA-256 algorithm is its uniqueness of the output. Simply put, the algorithm generates the output hash value of 256 bits long, regardless of the input size. So, if it is a single character input or multiple pages of input, the output hash value will be 256 bits long.</p>
<ul>
<li><span id="Irreversible"></span>
<h3>Irreversible</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p>All hash values generated by the SHA-256 algorithm are irreversible. Any input, regardless of the size, generates the same output with a fixed length of 256 bits. Moreover, the input size is not restricted. Thus, it is computationally impossible for hackers to reverse engineer the original data. That, in turn, ensures the original data is secure at all times, even if the hash value is available publicly.</p>
<ul>
<li><span id="Consistency"></span>
<h3>Consistency</h3>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The SHA-256 algorithm generates the same hash value for a specific input. That maintains consistency in the hashing process, which, in turn, enables users to verify data across remote systems.</p>
<p><span id="Steps_involved_in_the_SHA_256_Algorithm"></span></p>
<h2 data-rocket-lazy-bg-05a08880-be57-43f1-adf2-5e2d111b3222="loaded">Steps involved in the SHA-256 Algorithm</h2>
<p>Once you enter the input data, the SHA-256 algorithm processes it via a series of mathematical calculations known as rounds. The process involves multiple steps, like data preprocessing, message expansion, and message compression. Let&rsquo;s see those steps in detail.</p>
<p><span id="Data_Preprocessing"></span></p>
<h3>1. Data Preprocessing</h3>
<p>The entered input data is padded, which means adding a few extra bits to the original message. The bits are added in such a way that the first bit is one while the rest of it is zeroes. The padded data length is made sure of a multiple of 512.</p>
<p><span id="Message_Expansion"></span></p>
<h3>2. Message Expansion</h3>
<p>The 512-bit input is divided into 16 32-bit words first. It is then expanded into 64 32-bit words via a series of mathematical operations.</p>
<p><span id="Message_Compression"></span></p>
<h3>3. Message Compression</h3>
<p>The expanded 64-worded message is then processed through a series of 64 rounds involving the following steps.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h4>Identify the round constant</h4>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Each round consists of a distinct 32-bit constant value produced depending on the position in the sequence.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h4>Determine the message schedule</h4>
</li>
</ul>
<p>A 64-entry message schedule is created based on the 64-worded message and the round constant.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h4>Update the working variables</h4>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The 8 32-bit words are the working variables that store the intermediate values during the hashing process. These working variables are updated based on the message schedule and a series of mathematical operations.</p>
<ul>
<li>
<h4>Generate the hash value</h4>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Once all the 64 rounds are done, the final values of the working variables are combined, and the 256-bit hash value is generated. The final output of the SHA-256 algorithm is always a 256-bit hash value, which acts as a digital signature of the input data.</p>
<p><span id="SHA_256_Use_cases"></span></p>
<h2 data-rocket-lazy-bg-05a08880-be57-43f1-adf2-5e2d111b3222="loaded">SHA-256 Use cases</h2>
<p>The SHA-256 algorithm is widely used across various applications, including data security, blockchain, digital signatures, and more. Let&rsquo;s see them in detail.</p>
<p><span id="Digital_Signatures"></span></p>
<h3>1. Digital Signatures</h3>
<p>Digital or electronic signature is the most common application of the SHA-256 algorithm, which is used to validate the authenticity of messages like credit card transactions, digital documents, etc.</p>
<p>The SHA-256 algorithm generates a hash value of the original content, making it a unique digital signature. That way, the integrity of the message is protected at all times. The signer can encrypt the hash value by using the private key.</p>
<p><span id="Password_Hashing"></span></p>
<h3>2. Password Hashing</h3>
<p>Password hashing is another famous use case of the SHA-256 algorithm. Organizations and institutions hesitate to store their passwords, fearing unethical activities. Thus, they derive their hash values. So, every time the user enters the password, the algorithm derives a new hash value and verifies whether it matches the original content stored in the database.</p>
<p><span id="Blockchain_Technology"></span></p>
<h3>3. Blockchain Technology</h3>
<p>The SHA-256 algorithm is an irreplaceable hash function in blockchain applications. As we all know, the most popular cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, which follows the Proof of Work (PoW) mechanism, follows the SHA-256 algorithm to verify transactions, mine new blocks, and secure the network against attacks.</p>
<p>The SHA-256 algorithm secures the integrity of the data stored in the blocks, as each block contains a unique digital fingerprint that cannot be changed. Moreover, each block is linked to the previous block by using its hash values. That&rsquo;s the reason behind the name blockchain. The SHA-256 algorithm makes the blockchain ledger transparent so that all users can verify it anytime.</p>
<p>Moreover, SHA-256 makes the blockchain secure and free from attacks. For instance, a miner should add a random string of numbers called the nonce to the content from the previous block and process it through the SHA-256 algorithm. Thus, no one can guess the correct string of numbers to retrieve content. It needs significant computational energy to guess the correct hash values, which is impracticable, making the network secure.</p>
<p><span id="SSL_Handshake"></span></p>
<h3>4. SSL Handshake</h3>
<p>The SSL (Secure Socket Layer) handshake is crucial to web browsing sessions as it establishes a secure connection between the web browser and a server. The SSL handshake depends on the SHA-256 algorithm to connect securely between the browser and the server.</p>
<p>For instance, communication between server and browser always begins with an SSL handshake, which is asymmetric cryptography that enables the browser to verify the web server, get the public key, and set up a secure connection before data transfer.</p>
<p><span id="File_Integrity"></span></p>
<h3>5. File Integrity</h3>
<p>SHA-256 verifies the data integrity of any files on the internet, like documents, videos, and software executables, during downloads and transfers. For instance, when a file is uploaded on the website, the algorithm generates a hash value for that file. Thus, when someone downloads the file, the hash value is computed again to maintain the data integrity. The file is verified only when both the hash values match.</p>
<p><span id="Top_Minable_Coins_based_on_SHA_256"></span></p>
<h2 data-rocket-lazy-bg-05a08880-be57-43f1-adf2-5e2d111b3222="loaded">Top Minable Coins based on SHA-256</h2>
<p>Many top cryptocurrencies follow the SHA-256 algorithm, including Bitcoin. Here is the list of top mineable coins that follow the SHA-256 hash algorithm.</p>
</div>

SHA-256, which stands for Secure Hash Algorithm, is a cryptographic hash function that converts any input data to a fixed alphanumeric string of 256 bits. 