What is the best hash algorithm?

The MD5 algorithm, defined in RFC 1321, is probably the most well-known and widely used hash function. It is the fastest of all the .NET hashing algorithms, but it uses a smaller 128-bit hash value, making it the most vulnerable to attack over the long term.

What are the benefits of using a hash algorithm?

There are three major benefits of using algorithms to hash data: faster processing speeds, data integrity, and password security. The idea surrounding faster processing speeds is quite simple. Large amounts of data can be retrieved almost instantaneously when hashing algorithms are used.

What are the different types of hash algorithms?

Hashing algorithms are just as abundant as encryption algorithms, but there are a few that are used more often than others. Some common hashing algorithms include MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2, NTLM, and LANMAN. MD5: This is the fifth version of the Message Digest algorithm. MD5 creates 128-bit outputs.