What is SHA-384?
SHA-384 (Secure Hash Algorithm 384-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that produces a 384-bit (48-byte) hash value, typically rendered as a 96-character hexadecimal number. It is part of the SHA-2 family of hash functions designed by the NSA and published by NIST.
Key characteristics:
- Deterministic: The same input always produces the same hash
- Fast computation: Quick to compute for any given input
- Avalanche effect: Small changes in input produce drastically different outputs
- Irreversible: Computationally infeasible to reverse the hash to find the original input
- Collision resistant: Very difficult to find two different inputs that produce the same hash
Common uses:
- Digital signatures and certificates
- Blockchain and cryptocurrency (some systems use SHA-384)
- Password storage (with proper salting)
- File integrity verification
- Proof of work algorithms