📌 Hash Collision Summary
A hash collision occurs when two different pieces of data are processed by a hash function and produce the same output value, known as a hash. Hash functions are designed to turn data of any size into a fixed-size value, but because there are more possible inputs than outputs, collisions are unavoidable. Hash collisions can cause problems in systems that rely on hashes for data integrity, fast lookups, or security.
🙋🏻♂️ Explain Hash Collision Simply
Imagine you have hundreds of people and only a limited number of lockers, each labelled with a number. If two people are assigned the same locker number, that is like a hash collision. It can cause confusion or mix-ups because the system expects each person to have a unique locker.
📅 How Can it be used?
When designing a database index, you must handle hash collisions to ensure quick and accurate data retrieval.
🗺️ Real World Examples
In password storage, websites use hash functions to protect user passwords. If two different passwords result in the same hash due to a collision, an attacker might use this to gain unauthorised access.
In version control systems like Git, files and commits are identified by their hash values. A hash collision could mean two different files are mistakenly treated as the same, causing confusion or data loss.
✅ FAQ
What is a hash collision and why does it happen?
A hash collision occurs when two different pieces of information end up with the same hash value after being processed by a hash function. This happens because hash functions create fixed-size outputs, but there are far more possible inputs than outputs, so sometimes two different inputs get matched to the same result.
Are hash collisions a problem in everyday technology?
Hash collisions can cause trouble, especially in systems that use hashes to check if files are the same, look up information quickly, or keep data secure. While most hash functions are designed to make collisions rare, they can still happen, and in some cases, attackers might even try to create them on purpose.
How do people try to prevent hash collisions?
To reduce the chance of hash collisions, people often use hash functions that produce longer hashes or are specially designed to spread out input values as much as possible. Regularly updating to newer, stronger hash functions also helps keep systems safer from problems caused by collisions.
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