SHA & Disk Usage
What is the Overview of the Secure Hash Function?
Secure hash function is a uniquely computed string of code of 256 bits which acts as a digital signature (fingerprint) in contrast with the public-private key pair mechanisms.
What is the Benefit of Secure Hashing?
Security & Time.
Secure hashing saves processing time by verifying file's integrity without inspecting the file's contents. In theory, it calculates a sample from a large resource document or database, which is smaller in size but equally accurate in value. It then determines the accessible fingerprint for the resource key of the user accessing the resource, eliminating the need to process the entire document or database.
Once the sample is calculated, the system verifies the association between your public-private key pair and the resource key based on the fingerprint match. During large transfers, the SHA-256 hash detects any discrepancies between the local machine's hash and the vault's hash. Even a single bit change results in different hashes, indicating a transfer issue. A successful transfer is confirmed if both hashes match exactly.
In conclusion, an attacker does not need to steal your private key to execute a "fake key" attack. Instead, they would need to calculate the correct fingerprint combination, which would take an extremely long time.
It is extremely unlikely to find two documents with the same fingerprint.
Your fingerprint combination is 2 to the power 256 (for comparison, the total number of particles in the universe is estimated at 2 to the power 100, and the most advanced quantum computers can calculate up to 2 to the power 25 combinations). View a short video explanation here1.
What is the Purpose of Compute Storage Option?
This option computes and displays the total size of files and directories within a selected directory. It can be used to determine disk utilization for specific parts of the system. The option works for drives and access directories as well. Right-click on a file and select Compute Storage to enable the system to scan the selected file, directory, or drive.
SHA-256 computation is applicable to any file.
What is RAM Disk Support?
A RAM disk is an ultrafast virtual hard drive that exists in system memory. Its contents are temporary and discarded after computation, making it ideal as a scratch space for high-speed, short-term data processing.
1 3blue1brown.com