What is MD5?
MD5 (Message-Digest Algorithm 5) is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit hash value. It is commonly used for checksums and verifying data integrity.
How MD5 Works
MD5 takes an input message and processes it through a series of mathematical operations to generate a fixed-length 32-character hexadecimal hash.
Why Use MD5?
MD5 is often used for:
- Verifying file integrity.
- Generating unique identifiers.
- Basic checksums in non-security applications.
Limitations of MD5
Despite its popularity, MD5 is considered weak for security purposes due to vulnerabilities in collision resistance. It is not recommended for cryptographic security applications.