96Crypt Help

Check HASH of files and typed-strings

    A HASH function is simply a cryptographic algorithm that accepts input, arbitrary in length
    and renders a fixed-length output while also satisfying some additional cryptographic
    properties (preimage resistance and collision resistance). In this section of 96Crypt, HASH
    functions accept files and typed-strings as input of any variable size and render a fixed-length
    string which is called the hash result or "key".

    The length of the result "key" is totally independent of the number of bytes contained
    in the file or the number of letters in a typed-string. This result "key", derived from the
    file or the typed-string, has a fixed length defined ONLY by the selected HASH function.

    This result "key" represents the "fingerprint" of the input file or typed-string. It is UNIQUE.
    The longer the key-length is, the lower (<< 10^-128) the probability is to find another
    identical result "key". This is the main reason why long-key HASH functions are more secure
    than short or medium size HASH result keys. [SHA512 (512-bit) vs MD5 (128-bit)]

    A "collision" occurs when a HASH function renders the SAME result key for 2
    (or more) different inputs (files, strings, passwords etc...). This leads to confusion
    about the authenticity of these 2 inputs, much like having identical fingerprints
    for 2 different people!
    This happens very rarely. However, if a "collision" happens with a single HASH
    function (ex. MD4) and renders a same result key for 2 different inputs, one of the
    secure methods to authenticate these 2 inputs is to HASH them with multiple HASH
    functions (HASH Cascading) instead of relying on 1 HASH function.

    It is mathematically IMPOSSIBLE to find 9 HASH collisions with 9 different HASH
    functions applied at the same time on the same 2 inputs. Therefore, ONLY inputs
    (files or typed-strings) having the SAME HASH results computed with ALL 9 HASH
    functions, are assumed mathematically identical. see [List ALL]

    Another secure method to authenticate files is to rely on Keyed HASH Functions
    whose specific purpose is message authentication. They are called MAC, Message
    Authentication Code.

    With 96Crypt you can apply HASH functions on either selected files or typed-strings.

1. Check HASH of selected files
    File HASHing may be launched in two different ways:
    A. Either by launching the program normally by clicking on its icon.
    B. Or by using the file's Mouse-Right-Click plug-in.

A. Launching 96Crypt normally
    Start 96Crypt, select the "HASH / MAC" page, select a HASH function of your choice then
    use the "HASH File(s)" button to browse files.
    Multiple file selection is allowed with all HASH functions except with the [List ALL] selection.



B. Using the Mouse-Right-Click
    Right click on a file or icon in your Windows Explorer or on your Desktop and select
    the 96Crypt - HASH Checker function found under the "Send To" section.



    This will open 96Crypt directly on the "HASH / MAC" page and will auto-position on the
    [List ALL] mode to provide the most secure means for file integrity validation.
    The same file will then be HASHed with all 9 available HASH functions at the same time.



2. Check HASH of typed-strings
    Start by selecting the HASH function of your choice then you might either doubleclick
    on the "File Path" window as shown below,



    or you might select the "Enter A String-text To Be Checked" from the Options menu.



    In both cases a window field will slide down where you might type a string text to be HASHed.
    Type your string-text then hit enter.

96Crypt provides 9 + [List ALL] different HASH functions that can be used to HASH your selected files
or typed-strings.

1. MD5
    MD5 was developed by Professor Ronald L. Rivest of MIT, It produces a 128-bit output
    "fingerprint / message digest" of any variable length input. Copyrighted (C) 1991-92
    RSA Data Security Inc.



2. RMD-128
    RipeMD-128 is a 128-bit cryptographic hash function, designed by Hans Dobbertin,
    Antoon Bosselaers & Bart Preneel and developed in the framework of project RIPE
    1988-1992 (RACE Integrity Primitives Evaluation). It produces a 128-bit output
    "fingerprint / message digest". The authors do not hold any patents on this algorithm.

3. RMD-160
    RipeMD-160 is a 160-bit cryptographic hash function, designed by Hans Dobbertin,
    Antoon Bosselaers & Bart Preneel and developed in the framework of project RIPE
    1988-1992 (RACE Integrity Primitives Evaluation). It produces a 160-bit output
    "fingerprint / message digest". The authors do not hold any patents on this algorithm.

4. TIGER
    Tiger is a fast new hash function, designed by Ross Anderson & Eli Biham to run
    quickly on 64-bit processors and produce a 192-bit hash output. Tiger has no
    usage restrictions nor patents.

5. HAVAL-5
    HAVAL (Hashing Algorithm with Variable Length) was designed in 1993 by Yuliang Zheng,
    Josef Pieprzyk and Jennifer Seberry, University of Wollongong, Australia.
    HAVAL produces a variable length hash digest of 128, 160 192, 224 & 256-bit.
    HAVAL can process the input in 3, 4 or 5 passes. The implementation of HAVAL-5
    in 96Crypt produces only the 256-bit key.

6. SHA-1
    The Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) was developed by NIST along with the NSA in 1993.
    SHA1 can produce a 160-bit "message digest" and seems to provide higher security level
    than MD5. The Hash function is one-way and collision-free.

7. SHA256
    SHA256 is a newer secure hash standard announced by NIST on October 12, 2000.
    It was approved by NIST on August 26, 2002. It produces a 256-bit "message digest".

8. SHA384
    SHA384 is a newer secure 384-bit key hash standard announced by NIST on
    October 12, 2000. Although the relative number of rounds with the SHA384 seems
    lower than for SHA-1, however, SHA384 still provides higher security level than
    preceding hash functions.

9. SHA512
    Like the SHA384, SHA512 is a newer secure 512-bit key hash standard announced
    by NIST on October 12, 2000. Although the relative number of rounds with the SHA512
    seems lower than for SHA-1, however, SHA512 provides today the highest security level
    than any preceding hash functions.

10. List ALL
    This selection provides one of the most secure authentication scheme to compare inputs
    and validate file integrity.
    The 9 HASH functions of 96Crypt are used all together, with a very aggressive and fast
    assembly-language code to provide 9 HASH result keys for the same input at the same time.
    ONLY inputs (files or typed-strings) having the SAME HASH results, computed with ALL 9 HASH
    functions are considered mathematically identical.

    Selecting the Right-Click-Mouse HASH checker will auto-position 96Crypt on the [List ALL]
    selection to provide the most secure and mathematically proven file authentication.

The HASH functions implemented in 96Crypt are listed below:

Algorithm Name	Rendered Key length
MD5	128-bit
RMD-128	128-bit
RMD-160	160-bit
SHA-1	160-bit
TIGER	192-bit
HAVAL-5	256-bit
SHA256	256-bit
SHA384	384-bit
SHA512	512-bit

    Note 1:
    NIST is the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

    Note 2:
    Opening 96Crypt on the "HASH / MAC" page, will auto-select the last
    HASH function and the last display mode that were saved the last time
    96Crypt was closed.
    However, opening 96Crypt with the Right-Click-Mouse will position 96Crypt on
    [List ALL] selection to provide a secure and mathematically irrevocable
    file authentication scheme.

MAC (Message Authentication Code)