SHA-256

"Secure Hash Algorithm 256", a mathematical formula for uniquely representing any amount of data in just 256 bits (32 bytes). SHA-256 and other hash algorithms (such as MD5) are used in cryptography, digital security, computer forensics, and other areas. 

 

Note: If two files have the same SHA-256 hash value, they are assured (with an astronomical degree of certainty) to have exactly the same contents, bit for bit.

 

See Also: Hash, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-384, SHA-512