MD5 Hash Generator
Generate an MD5 hash from any text or file input
What is an MD5 hash?
MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5) is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value, typically expressed as a 32-digit hexadecimal number. It was designed by Ronald Rivest in 1991 to replace an earlier hash function, MD4.
MD5 has been used in a wide variety of security applications and is also commonly used to verify data integrity. An MD5 hash is created by taking a string of any length and encoding it into a 128-bit fingerprint.
Security Warning
MD5 is considered cryptographically broken and unsuitable for further use. It has been found to suffer from extensive vulnerabilities and should not be used for security purposes. It is recommended to use stronger hash functions like SHA-256 or SHA-3 for security-critical applications.
Common Uses of MD5
- File integrity checking (though more secure alternatives are recommended)
- Storing checksums for downloaded files
- Legacy systems that haven't been updated to use more secure algorithms
- Non-security applications where collision resistance is not important
While MD5 is still used in some applications for backward compatibility or non-security purposes, it should not be relied upon for protecting sensitive information or verifying authenticity in security-critical systems.