SHA-384 Hash Generator

Definition

SHA-384 is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 384-bit (48-byte) hash value from an input data. It is one of the variants of the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) family designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the USA.

The SHA-384 hash function is considered secure for use in cryptographic applications, as it is highly resistant to collisions, i.e., it is extremely unlikely that two different inputs will produce the same hash value. This means that it is a good choice for protecting data integrity, as any modification to the input data will result in a different hash value.

The process of generating a SHA-384 hash involves dividing the input data into blocks of 1024 bits, and then applying a series of complex mathematical operations to each block to generate a final 384-bit hash value. The end result is a 48-byte sequence that is unique to the specific input data.

SHA-384 is often used in conjunction with other encryption algorithms, such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), to provide additional security. It can also be used to verify the integrity of large files, such as software installation files, to ensure that they have not been corrupted during transfer or download.