Hash Function Demo

Compare cryptographic hash functions and explore collision resistance and the avalanche effect

Overview

The Hash Function Demo provides an interactive way to explore and compare popular cryptographic hash functions including MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512. See how different algorithms transform input data into fixed-size hash values, observe the avalanche effect where small input changes create dramatic hash changes, and understand which algorithms are secure for modern use.

Tips

  1. Test the Avalanche Effect: Type “hello” then change it to “Hello” - notice how changing a single character completely transforms the hash output
  2. Compare Security Levels: Compare the same input across all algorithms to see output length differences and security status (MD5 and SHA-1 are broken, SHA-256/512 are secure)
  3. Experiment with Similar Inputs: Try hashing “password” and “password1” to see how even minimal changes produce entirely different hashes
  4. Understand Use Cases: Use SHA-256 or SHA-512 for file integrity verification and digital signatures, never use MD5 or SHA-1 for security-critical applications
  5. Observe Performance: Notice that shorter hashes (MD5) compute faster than longer ones (SHA-512), but security should always take priority over speed