SHA-256
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Cybersecurity
| Stands for | Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
SHA-256 stands for Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit, a cybersecurity abbreviation.
A member of the SHA-2 family that produces a 256-bit hash, usually written as 64 hexadecimal characters. It is the workhorse hash for TLS certificates, software checksums, digital signatures and Bitcoin mining.
Example: Compare the file's SHA-256 against the value on the release page before installing.
Usage notes
Published by NIST in 2001 as part of SHA-2. Bitcoin applies it twice to block headers in its proof-of-work, so mining hardware is built specifically to compute it. No practical collision attack is known. For storing passwords a single fast hash is unsuitable; deliberately slow algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt or Argon2 are used instead.
Related abbreviations
More cybersecurity abbreviations
- SAML – Security Assertion Markup Language
- SASE – Secure access service edge
- SAST – Static application security testing
- SBOM – Software bill of materials
- SCA – Software composition analysis
- SHA – Secure Hash Algorithm
- SIEM – Security information and event management
- SOAR – Security orchestration, automation and response
- SOC – Security operations center
- SOC 2 – System and Organization Controls 2
- SPF – Sender Policy Framework
- SQLi – SQL injection