MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5) is a cryptographic hashing algorithm developed by Ronald Rivest in 1991. It takes an input of arbitrary length (message) and produces a fixed-length 128-bit digest. This digest is used to verify the integrity of data, ensuring its originality and detecting alterations.
Despite its early popularity for verifying file integrity and securing passwords, MD5 is now considered insecure. It is vulnerable to:
- Collision Attacks: Two different inputs can produce the same digest.
- Pre-image Attacks: Given a hash, it is feasible to find an input that generates it. These vulnerabilities make MD5 unsuitable for cryptographic purposes such as digital signatures or secure hashing.
For modern applications, consider secure hashing algorithms like:
SHA-256: A widely-used, collision-resistant algorithm. SHA-3: Designed for future-proof cryptographic needs. Argon2: Recommended for password hashing.
Note: This codebase is intended solely for educational purposes. It is not recommended to use this code in production.