Don’t Get Salted: A Beginner’s Guide to Hashing Algorithms

Ever wondered how websites securely store your passwords or verify downloads without actually holding the original data? The secret lies in a fascinating technique called hashing. Unlike a tasty snack (don’t get salted!), hashing algorithms don’t add anything to your data. Instead, they transform it into a unique, fixed-size value called a hash — like a digital fingerprint. This fingerprint ensures secure storage and verification without revealing the original data itself.

But how exactly does this magic work?

Imagine you …

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