Message Digest

Definitions

1. A fixed-length hash value computed from input data and used to detect changes, compare content, or support cryptographic protocols. The term appears both generically and in historical algorithm names such as MD5, though not all message-digest algorithms remain secure for modern use.

   In plain English: A hash value used as a compact fingerprint of data.

   Example: "The backup manifest stored a message digest for each file so corruption could be detected during restore checks."

Related Terms

• Digital Signature
• Key Derivation Function
• HMAC
• Cryptographic Hash
• HMAC Authentication
• MD5
• Message Authentication Code
• AES-GCM
• Anti-Cheat
• Collision Resistance
• Data Tampering
• File Hash
• Log Integrity
• Password Salt
• Password Storage