Reading assignment: Hashing

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#2752

Reading assignment: Hashing

1.What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?

SHA-256 invented by the NSA

2.Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?

The hashing algorithm generates a new value through a mathematical function that operates the input values in a way that is a one-way function.
In the article it is compared to a food mixer, where you can´t get the original “inputs” at their correct amounts back.

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#2753

  1. SHA-256

  2. It’s virtually impossible because it will take too much time and ask for enormous computing power

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#2754

  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
    a) The hashing algorithm is called Secure Hash Algorithm 256 or SHA 256

  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    a) The hashing algorithm is almost impossible to brute force due to the computational effort required to identify the initial raw data. The example given compared the original input to raw ingredients being placed in a blender, and the finished product being “blended” to that point of not being able to determine the individual characteristics of the original ingredients–the outcome of the blended materials is the finished hash.

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#2755

[quote=“ivan, post:1, topic:8422”]

  • What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?

SHA-256

  • Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?

The each blocks header needs to be hashed to be less than or equal to the value of an unknown alphanumerical code that is adjusted to ensure that only an acceptable number of coins are mined. Due to the low number of coins allowed to be mined and the high computing power being used to try and mine them, the hashing algorithm is almost impossible to brute force.

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#2756
  1. is a function that runs crypto
  2. there are too many variables to obtains the same 256bit string
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#2757

What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
SHA256
Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
the possible outcomes are so many that is almost impossible to brute force it in such a short time 10min

[/quote]

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#2758

  1. SHA-256

  2. It is almost impossible to brute-force SHA-256 because there are a lot fo possibilities of computations and it would just take forever.

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#2759
  1. SHA-256
  2. Because the hash is only solved in one direction and mathematically it cant be reversed
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#2760

The hashing algorithm is called Secure Hash Algorithm(SHA-256.
Hashing algorithm is almost impossible to brute-force; because, a hash may produce random number from a single number as low as 0 or a string of alphanumeric code as long and high as 256 numbers.

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#2761
  1. SHA256
  2. it is a one way transaction, ganging the input by one character completely changes hash, unable to go from has to original input
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#2762
  1. SHA-256
  2. The computational power necessary to break the hashing algorithm is very high. The actual hashing is hard to extremely hard to break. The upcoming quantum computer technology represents a risk to the security of the blockchain. Therefore it might be necessary for the mining pools to start suing quantum computers to protect the network and increase the sha to higher complexity.
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#2763
  1. BItcoin us using DHA 256 hashing Algorithm.
  2. At the moment brute-forcing SHA 256 is hard, as it requires so significant amount of processing power that does not exist today for a human finite resolution time.
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#2764
  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?

a. Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA)

  1. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?

a. It is almost impossible to get the same input (function) by brute-force of a particular output, due
to the computation power of the complex algorithm.

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#2765
  1. SHA-256
  2. It is (almost) impossible to trace / work back to the original source input from an output using a SHA-256 hashing algorithm. It takes to much computing power.

I question what the effect of quantum computing would be on the SHA-256 algorithm.

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#2766
  1. Sha 256 (Secure Hash Algorithm)
  2. reversing a executed function in the blockchain isn’t possible.
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#2767

The hashing algorithm Bitcoin uses is called the SHA-256
This algorithm uses complex mathematical equations to produce a unique hash output for a given input and these equations are designed to make reverse calculation basically impossible.

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#2768

ATM quantum computers are only able to do a specific task and its not breaking SHA256, only time will tell. In case it gets broken, Bitcoin will have to hard fork to keep the security.

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#2769

Bitcoin uses the SHA-256 hashing algorithm, invented by the NSA.

The hashing is a uni-directional process, where the input cannot be determined based on the output. In order to solve the puzzle, it is necessary to use trial and error through all combinations to eventually determine the input. Whoever gets the answer correct first is awarded the bitcoin reward.

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#2770

1 – BTC uses the 256-BIT algorithm.
2- This algorithm is difficult to brute force because of way it is built. If either input in the hash has changed in any way, something as simple as a comma or period out of place or a letter or number moved, will change the hash entirely. So if it was altered in anyway it would not generate the same hash. Entropy or randomness also helps prevent this by essentially making it a lottery pick for those who get the SHA-256 target (or lower)

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#2771

Mining is not the same as brute forcing. Mining utilizes hash functions by searching for a new hash that is below a certain threshold. But still all the hash power of all miners combined isn’t sufficient to generate a hash of a specific value which is what someone who would want to brute force the hash algorithm would try to achieve - to generate an input that would result in a specific output hash. :slight_smile:

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