A concrete example
Changing one letter in a message changes its SHA-256 fingerprint.
In context
Hashing is not encryption. Encryption conceals a message until it is decrypted; a hash helps check integrity. Matching a fingerprint establishes consistency with particular data, not that the underlying statement is true. Hashing a false invoice does not make it genuine.
Explore the full explanation
Blockchain
Hashes, keys and signatures
A cryptographic hash maps data to a fixed-length fingerprint.
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