Abstract
[Superseded by FIPS 180-3 (October 2008):
http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=901372] This standard specifies four secure hash algorithms, SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512. All four of the algorithms are iterative, one-way hash functions that can process a message to produce a condensed representation called a message digest. These algorithms enable the determination of a message's integrity: any change to the message will, with a very high probability, result in a different message digest. This property is useful in the generation and verification of digital signatures and message authentication codes, and in the generation of random numbers (bits). [Supersedes FIPS 180-1 (April 1995):
http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=]