====== Cryptographic Checksum ======
[[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:start| Return to Glossary ]]

**Cryptographic Checksum** is generated by a [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:cryptographic_algorithm]], a **Cryptographic Checksum** is a mathematical value assigned to a file sent through a network for verifying that the data contained in that file is unchanged. The algorithm performs numerous mathematical operations to create a hash value, or fixed string of digits. This hash value is then used as a [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:c:checksum]] to confirm that the sent file was not changed by an attacker.

A hash value remains unchanged from the time it is created and is considered an "electronic fingerprint" of a file. A **Cryptographic Checksum** is assigned to a file and is used to verify that the data in that file has not been tampered with or manipulated, possibly by a malicious entity.

**Cryptographic Checksums** provide the basis of modern cryptography, particularly for signing and [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:e:encryption]], [[dido:public:ra:xapend:xapend.a_glossary:d:digital_signature]], email certificates and website certificates. They are also known as message authentication codes, integrity check values, modification detection codes or message integrity codes.

Source: [[https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/cryptographic-checksum ]]


/**=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
/* To add a discussion page to this page, comment out the line that says 
  ~~DISCUSSION:off~~
*/
~~DISCUSSION:on|Outstanding Issues~~
~~DISCUSSION:off~~