Cryptography - MD5 vs SHA1



SHA1 and MD5 are two hashing algorithms. Although MD5 is quick and easy to use, it is not very secure. SHA1 offers a higher level of security and is more advanced than MD5.

To learn more about these two hashing algorithms and their differences, continue reading this chapter.

What is MD5?

MD means Message Digest. MD5 is a hashing algorithm that creates 128-bit hash values.

  • Although MD5 was created with the intention of using it as a cryptographic hash function, it has been discovered to have several flaws. Yet, it is extensively used.
  • MD5 can be used to validate data integrity as a checksum, but only for inadvertent corruption. It may still be used for noncryptographic tasks, such as finding the partition for a certain key in a partitioned database.
  • MD5 digests are frequently used in the software industry to ensure that a transmitted file arrives in good condition. Item servers, for example, frequently give a pre-computed MD5 (also known as "md5sum") checksum for files, which a user may compare with the checksum of the downloaded file.
  • MD5 sum programs are provided in the distribution packages of most Unix-based operating systems; Windows users can use the inbuilt PowerShell function "Get-FileHash," install a Microsoft utility or utilize third-party software. This form of checksum is also used in Android ROMs.
  • If the attackers attempt to break a message that is encrypted with MD5, then they would have to perform 2128 operations. If the attackers require to look for two messages with identical message digest, then they would have to perform 264 operations.

What is SHA1?

The short form for Secure Hash Algorithm 1 is SHA1. This is a cryptographic hash function that accepts an input and outputs a message digest, which is a hash value of 160 bits (20 bytes) that usually appears as a 40-digit hexadecimal integer.

  • The National Security Agency of the United States developed SHA1, a Federal Information Processing Standard for the United States.
  • SHA1 is used in various security programs and protocols, like TLS, SSL, PGP, SSH, S/MIME, and IPSec. From MD4, both SHA1 and MD5 generated.
  • The original message needed 2160 operations for an adversary to decipher. The attackers have to do out 280 operations if they had to search for two messages with the same message digest. It is therefore far more secure than MD5.

SHA1 has been considered vulnerable to well-funded adversaries since 2005. As of 2010, many groups have called for its replacement.

Difference between MD5 and SHA1

The table below shows the key differences between MD5 and SHA1 −

S.No. Key MD5 SHA1
01 Definition MD5 stands for Message Digest. SHA stands for Secure Hash Algorithm.
02 Supported Length The message digest length in MD5 can be up to 128 bits. The message digest length for SHA1 can be up to 160 bits.
03 Speed MD5 is faster than SHA. SHA is slower than MD5.
04 Complexity MD5 is simple than SHA. SHA is quite a complex algorithm as compared to MD5.
05 Security MD5 provides poor security. SHA provides balanced security.
06 Usage It is used in legacy systems It is widely used in various applications
07 Crack Code If one needs to seek two messages having the same identical message digest, then they would have to perform 264 operations. In this case, an attacker would have to perform 280 operations.
08 Security Vulnerabilities Susceptible to collision attacks SHA1, although more secure than MD5
09 Cryptographic Applications File Integrity Verification, Password Hashing, Digital Signatures Digital Certificates, Secure Hashing, TLS/SSL Certificates, Digital Signatures

Summary

MD5 produces a message digest of 128 bits, while SHA1 produces a 160-bit hash value. As a result, SHA1 is a more advanced algorithm that offers higher security than MD5.

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