Difference between Hashing and Encryption
Last Updated :
22 Aug, 2024
In the field of cybersecurity, encryption, and hashing are the two most basic methods utilized for the protection and integrity of data. Even though all these terms may be utilized to mean the same thing, they tend to work differently and for different purposes. As evidenced in encryption, data cannot be read in its encrypted form, hence making the data secret and only accessible to the people who have a decryption key. On the other hand, hashing is used to map given data into a fixed size key or hash value to ensure data integrity and easy search – but the reverse mapping can’t be done. The following are some of the distinctions between encryption and hashing, The distinction between encryption and hashing is critical in organizing adequate security mechanisms.
What is Encryption?
Encryption is the process of converting a normal readable message known as plaintext into a garbage message or not readable message known as Ciphertext. The ciphertext obtained from the encryption can easily be transformed into plaintext using the encryption key. Some of the examples of encryption algorithms are RSA, AES, and Blowfish.
What is Hashing?
Hashing is the process of converting the information into a key using a hash function. The original information cannot be retrieved from the hash key by any means. Generally, the hash keys are stored in the database and they are compared to check whether the original information matches or not. They are generally used to store the passwords for login. Some of the examples of a hashing algorithm are MD5, SHA256.
Difference Between Hashing and Encryption
| Basis | Hashing | Encryption |
|---|
| Definition | It is a process to convert information to a shorter fixed value known as the key that is used to represent the original information. | It is the process to encode data securely such that only the authorized user who knows the key or password is able to retrieve the original data for everyone else it is just garbage. |
| Purpose | The purpose of hashing is indexing and retrieving items from the database. The process is very fast. | The purpose of encryption is to transform data to keep it secret from others. |
| Reverse Process | The hash code or key can not be reversed to the original information by any means. It can only be mapped and the hash code is checked if the hash code is the same the information is the same otherwise not. The original information can not be retrieved. | The original information can be easily retrieved if we know the encryption key and algorithm used for encryption. |
| Secure | It is more secure in comparison to encryption. | It is less secure in comparison to hashing. |
| Creation of file | Generally, it tries to generate a new key for each information passed to the hash function but on rare occasions, it might generate the same key popularly known as a collision. | It will always generate a new key for each information. |
| Example | MD5, SHA256 | RSA, AES and Blowfish |
| Output | The output of a hashing algorithm is a fixed-size hash value | the output of an encryption algorithm is ciphertext of the same size or larger than the original data |
| Length of information | The hashed information is generally of small and fixed length. It does not grow with the increase in the information length of information. | The encrypted information is not of fixed length. It grows with the increase in length of information. |
| key management | Hashing does not require a secret key or algorithm to produce a hash value | encryption requires a secret key or algorithm to encrypt and decrypt data. |
Conclusion
These are methods of protecting data; however, the two are quite different and used at different steps. Transmission and storage security is vital for maintaining the confidentiality of data and this can be achieved through converting data into encoded form with an ability of decoding with the right key. On the other hand, hashing is used to guarantee data integrity and allow a check, for example, a password, to be done without using reversible decryption. Knowledge of their functions enables one apply the right technique that would best suit a certain security requirement.
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