MD5

Data integrity verifier

MD5 is a cryptographic hash function that converts data of any size into a fixed 128-bit value, typically displayed as a 32-character hexadecimal string.

Once widely used to verify file integrity and store passwords, MD5 is now considered cryptographically broken—collisions (different inputs producing identical hashes) can be deliberately generated.

It remains useful for checksums and non-security applications: Check the MD5 hash to verify your download.

algorithm

hash

Chopped mixture, cooked together

checksumError-detecting calculated value
digestMetabolize or summarize
128-bitData width specification

hexadecimal · fingerprint · SHA-256 · collision · one-way · deterministic · bitwise · compression · pseudo-random · compute

applications

password

Authentication string

storageSpace for keeping goods
hashingOne-way data transformation
databaseOrganized digital information collection

cache · key · lookup · indexing · deduplication · fingerprinting · software · distribution · torrent · API

verification

checksum

Error-detecting calculated value

integrityMoral soundness and consistency
validationConfirming truth or accuracy
fileStored collection of data

authentication · corruption · fingerprint · download · verify · compare · match · detect · tampering · transfer

security

vulnerability

Openness to harm

collisionForceful contact between objects
obsoleteNo longer in use
deprecatedFormally advised against using

broken · insecure · brute-force · crack · weakness · exploit · attack · cryptanalysis · legacy · superseded

Opposites

cryptographic security/strength

Cryptographic one-way function

algorithm function type

MD5AES

Symmetric encryption standard

RSA · encryption · decryption · plaintext · cipher

data integrity approach

Unanalyzed collected information

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Abstract · Rated G