*verify

Question: There are three main types of cryptographic algorithms: (1) secret key, (2) public key, and (3) hash functions. Pick an algorithm for any one of these types (e.g., DES, AES, RSA, MD5) and describe how it works and where it is applied (For example SSL uses 3DES or DES) for message encryption. Use your own words. When you pick an algorithm, try not to repeat. Be sure to reference your sources.

Answer: Known as message digest, MD5 is an encryption method that was developed by the professor Ronald Rivest of MIT. Also, called a hash value, it represents the summary of an entire message that will be sent. It is one of the secured ways a sender sends messages through insecure channels by using a secret algorithm that only the receiver knows about. It prevents data of being hacked by unauthorized parties. MD5 is a very fast algorithm that produces 128 messages digests with input text processed in 512-bit blocks, which are further divided into 16 blocks of 32-bit each. This algorithm came after other four message digests and is used to check the integrity of a message sent than its encryption. It is applied in Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) that are cryptographic protocols, which provide communications security (data integrity) over a computer network. A modified version of MD5 will be known as SHA that appears to be more sophisticated and secure against attacks. The 128-bit (16-byte) MD5 hashes (also termed message digests) are typically represented as a sequence of 32 hexadecimal digits.