Secure Hash Standard

 –   This Standard specifies secure hash algorithms -SHA-1, SHA-224,   SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, SHA-512/224 and SHA-512/256 -for   computing a condensed representation of electronic data (message).   When a message of any length less than 264 bits (for SHA-1, SHA-   224 and SHA-256) or less than 2128 bits (for SHA-384, SHA-512,   SHA-512/224 and SHA-512/256) is input to a hash algorithm, the   result is an output called a message digest. The message digests range   in length from 160 to 512 bits, depending on the algorithm. Secure   hash algorithms are typically used with other cryptographic   algorithms, such as digital signature algorithms and keyed-hash   message authentication codes, or in the generation of random   numbers (bits).   The hash algorithms specified in this Standard are called secure   because, for a given algorithm, it is computationally infeasible 1)   to find a message that corresponds to a given message digest, or 2)   to find two different messages that produce the same message   digest. Any change to a message will, with a very high   probability, result in a different message digest. This will result in   a verification failure when the secure hash algorithm is used with   a digital signature algorithm or a keyed-hash message   authentication algorithm.   SOURCE: FIPS 180-4   Specification for a secure hash algorithm that can generate a   condensed message representation called a message digest.  

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