Cryptographic hash functions are used in almost all Internet traffic and so their security is essential for Internet security. When MD5 was broken in 2004 (see e.g. Wang & Yu, 2005), there was panic across the world since all Internet traffic based on MD5 could no long be trusted (e.g., the certificate could be forged, a virus could be inserted into the software distribution process).

1) Evaluate the cryptographic hash function security.

2) Discuss what you believe is more important for Internet security and why: encryption schemes such as AES or cryptographic hash functions such as SHA1/SHA2/SHA3.

3) Think about your daily use of computers and where the hash function is involved. If the hash function is broken, what would be the impact on your daily activities?