Reading assignment: Hashing

Blockchain and Bitcoin 101
#4940

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

  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    The Bitcoin hash algorithm is a one-way mechanism which does not allow the reversal of a new hash as it is solved in a linear, unidirectional manner. If any of the input data is changed the result is also changed. Consequently very very large amounts of time and computational power would be required to attempt a brute force attack.

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#4941

1). The hashing algorithm for bitcoin is SHA 256 Proof of work

2).The process for hashing algorithm is all done by random. It’s very hard to find two inputs that produce the same output, each input has its own unique hash, this takes a lot of computational energy and recourses.

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#4942

  1. SHA-256

  2. It uses a proof of work function where miners work to solve increasingly difficult mathematical equations that add blocks after successful verification of the hashes within them.

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#4943
  1. SHA 256
  2. Hashes can’t be reversed. They would have to be rewritten, almost impossible to do.
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#4944
  1. SHA-256
  2. Because the different possible combinations are too many and a super special computer equipment would be required for this purpose.
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#4945

  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin? SHA-256

  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force? The miners solve very difficult math equations, this does not allow for reversal in the new has creation, its only solved in “Linear Unidirectional Manner” I.E the blender analogy

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#4946
  1. SHA 256
  2. The equations become increasingly difficult and takes a long time.
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#4947

It’s called SHA-256.

Because there are so many possible combinations of numbers and letters that make up the hashes, that it would take enormous computational power and then still hundreds or thousands of years. If you have that much computational power, it’s worth more to actually be honest and help mining.

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#4948

A1. SHA 256
A2. Because of the number of possible input combinations required to get a particular output

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#4949
  1. Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) named SHA-256
  2. the number of possibilities is to large
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#4950
  1. SHA 256
  2. Its immposible because it takes enormus amount of computantional power and time.
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#4951

1 SHA256

2 it is not possible to reverse a hash.

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#4952

  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
    SHA-256

  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    If one were to guess the correct hash input on a trial-and-error basis, the chances of getting the right result are so minute as to be negligible. Instead, large amounts of computational power (a literal proof of work) must be carried out in order to be within a reasonable chance of obtaining the correct hash input.

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#4953
  1. Bitcoin uses Secure Hash Algorithm SHA 256
  2. The Bitcoin hashing algorithm is really hard to brute force as it a one way hashing function. Bitcoin has algorithms that can only be solved to find the ultimate hash output, they can not be reversed to calculate the initial raw data. Each hash provides a random number between zero and a maximum 256 digit value.
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#4954
  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
    SHA 256 (Secure Hash Algorithm)
  2. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
    The sheer amount of possible outcomes is to great to brute-force solve the hash algorithm
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#4955
  1. SHA-256
  2. The odds are statistically low due to the vast number of possible inputs, and this requires very high computational power.
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#4956
  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?
  • SHA-256
  1. Why is this hashing algorithm really hard (almost impossible) to brute-force?
  • The hashing algorithm works in one direction only. The algorithm can take any form of data and spit out a hash number. However you can not use hash number to obtain the original data.
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#4957
  1. SHA-256
  2. An output cannot return to its input, and the chances of someone randomly matching that output is nearly 1/infinity.
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#4958

  1. SHA-256

  2. The possibility to recieve identical output when using different input within the hash function, is almost zero

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#4959
  1. What is the hashing algorithm called used in Bitcoin?

A. Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) or SHA-256.

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

This question could almost be re-written as “why is mining Bitcoin so challenging?” or “why is it difficult to make money stabilising the blockchain?”

Hashing this algorithm is a lottery, it’s achieved randomly. It is almost impossible to use brute-force to hash the bitcoin algorithm because there is only ever one output to a function and there are lots of people completing to find that one output.

Miners can increase their chances by increasing their ‘brute-force’ by increasing the capacity of their mining rig, the number of their computers, the quality of their hardware for example their hard-drives, fans and SD cards.

Computers are set up for days, weeks and even months on end. There is a success rate for mining a part of the block and this is calculated ever fortnight. The computers are on 24/7, require a consistent power supply and consistent internet connection. A break in either could result in a loss of up to 2 weeks work and the cost of this work.

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