Main Hash Algorithms
Which of MD-5 or SHA-1 would you recommend for hash function applications and why?
MD5Produces 128-bit hash value
Provides just 64-bit security (due to strong collisions property)
Significant attacks (1996 & 2004)
No longer recommended for use
SHA-1Produces 160-bit hash value
Effective security against brute force: 80 bits
Uses 512-bit message blocks
Slower than MD5
Considered stronger than MD5 as more bits used
Weaknesses emerging, however (2004, 2005)
Also SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512