Reading assignment: Hashing

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#3555

you are right but we have different types of Secure Hash Algorithm. Bitcoin uses SHA256.

2 Likes
#3556
  1. SHA-256
  2. It includes a 1-way mechanism that prevents any hash reversal to discover initial raw data. It can only be solved in a linear manner.
1 Like
#3557
  1. SHA-256
  2. The hash output is irreversible and mathematically guaranteed to be a one-way computation. The computational possibilities are extremely high and would require a great deal of time to compute if at all possible.
1 Like
#3558
  1. SHA-256
    2 The hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    The hash only calculates the output. I think the blender analogy speaks to the difficult of trying to brute-force.
1 Like
#3559

  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
    Secure Hash Algorithm also SHA-256

  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    Once you make hash data its impossible to break its algorithm or recreate it.

1 Like
#3560

  • What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
    SHA 256 Secure Hash Algorithm 256

  • Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    The algorithm is a system of mathematical functions that cannot be solved backwards. The number are so large that it is statistically impossible to have duplicate results.

1 Like
#3561

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

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

Hashing Algorithm is almost impossible to brute-force due to it’s unidirectional Layer. The amount of calculations that it will need to perform to get an input from output is so enormous that it is statistically unlikely for it to happen using brute force methods.

1 Like
#3562

What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?

it is called SHA256

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

Because the hash algoritm is irreversible.

1 Like
#3563
  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?

A.1. Bitcoin (BTC) hashing algorithm is known as SHA-256. Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) is an alphanumeric string of variables sizes i.e. 64-bit, 128-bit and 256-bit, mainly. In the Blockchain network, Hashing is the process of converting an INPUT of any length in to an OUTPUT of fix size string data of 256-bit using a mathematical function. This means that any text or binary data no matter how long it is, it can be converted into an alphanumeric string of data through an algorithm.

This means: INPUT (data to be hashed) + Hashing algorithm (function) = OUTPUT (Hash value)

A.2. Hashing algorithm is hard to brute-force because (1) large size data slows down the brute-force search and (2) new blocks are added to the Blockchain approximately every 10 minutes, this increases the difficulty performance of the brute-force search as the data exponentially increases.

Brute-force search also known as exhaustive search is a general problem-solving technique consisting of enumerating possible candidates for the solution of a problem and check whether each candidate satisfies the solution requirement. However, if the size of the data increases i.e. 128-bit, 256-bit, etc. then brute-force faces increasing limitations. This searching method is also used when speed is not taken into account. Therefore, brute-force becomes very inefficient if used on the Blockchain in order to trace the INPUT data of a given Hash value OUTPUT.

For instance, the 1st block in the Blockchain also known as Genesis Block contains transactions that when combined produce a unique Hash. When the 2nd block is created the Hash of the Genesis Block is added to all of the new transactions in the new block. This combination is used to create its respective Hash.

This process is repeated with all the new blocks added to the Blockchain by taking previous Hashes to generate newer ones and therefore creating an unbreakable dependency. This means that each block links back to its previous block through its Hash, forming a chain back to the Genesis Block. This makes Blockchain a secure, immutable and transparent network.

1 Like
#3564
  1. Bitcoin uses Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) named SHA-256.
  2. SHA-256 is really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force because these algorithms are irreversible and way too many input possibilities making the chances of guessing to match that perfect hash next to zero.
1 Like
#3565

Assignment:

  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
  • The hashing algorithm used for bitcoin is called Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256) developed by the NSA (National Security Agency)
  1. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
  • The hashing algorithm is really hard to brute-force because the function allows for almost endless outputs, making the reversal of the output nearly impossible to compute.
1 Like
#3566

  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
    The hashing algorithm used in bitcoin is called SHA - 256, it was invented by the National Security Agency (NSA) which is based in the USA.

  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    Miners play a big role in this as they are constantly checking the cryptocurrency network for any uploaded transactions, any attack on the network would require more than 51% of all network hash power to be altered. With cryptocurrency being a decentralised infrastructure no single person, organisation or country owns more than 51% of the hash power resulting into any cyber attacks being highly unlikely.

1 Like
#3567

1.) SHA-256

2.) A hash is irreversible. You cannot find the input based on the output.

1 Like
#3568
  1. SHA 256
  2. Because the hash algorithm works linearly, meaning it only transforms the input (any kind of data) into a hash, while there is basically no worthwhile way for it to generate the data from the hash itself.
1 Like
#3569

  1. It is call the SHA-256.

  2. Because for each input you get and unique output. And as a hash function it is not possible to get the input from the output. A brute-force attack would need to make 2^256 attempts to generate the initial data.

1 Like
#3570

1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
The hasing algorithm is called SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm)

2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
Because the output of the has algorithm is 256 bit (2^256), there are too much possibilities which would take extremly long.

1 Like
#3571

  1. SHA 256

  2. Hashing algorithm is almost impossible to breach due to his 256 bit code and it’s constant modification.

1 Like
#3572
  1. It is called by name of SHA-256
    2.This is because it is a very complicated algorithm and once the output is given it’s impossible to reverse it to its original phase
1 Like
#3573
  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?

Secure Hash Algorithm = SHA-256

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

Hash algorithms can only be solved to find the ultimate hash output, and cannot be reversed to calculate the initial raw data. SHA-256 is not reversible. Because of this one-way mechanism there is almost impossible to backward calculate to determine the original source data. This is why it is extremely hard to break.

1 Like
#3574

Brute forcing is not exactly the same as mining. In mining miners are searching for a new hash that is below a certain target, while when brute forcing you’re trying to find the exact same hash for a specific input. :slight_smile:

1 Like