What's the Big Deal?

Many that aren't really familiar with cryptography often confuse hashing with encryption.

There is a marked difference between the two operations. As such, both functions require entirely different operations.

The cryptographic 'primitive' that you are probably most familiar with = SHA-256 (used in Bitcoin)

To be clear, there are no native encryption mechanisms for Bitcoin - so when we dig into the cryptography laced within its protocol we're working with someone of a 'deficit' (if we're to consider a privacy a desired solution)

^^ But we digress

—

SHA-Based Hash Algorithms Are Designed or Speed

Contrary to Argon2 (which is memory-intensive to a much greater extent than 'Scrypt') - SHA-based algorithms are designed to be optimized by hardware.

This may seem counterintuitive, but when in an environment where quickly hashing & validating information is of importance (i.e., 'live-time' encryption "on the fly" where hash algorithms are needed to rapidly assess the integrity of whatever assets are being transferred / obtained /etc.)

One example of an app that we have deployed (open source) where this means of hashing (plus authenticating data) is favorable vs. Argon2id = StandardNotes (encrypted, synced notes manager)

Link = https://standardnotes.org/

Every note created on the app has its own signature & the notes are encrypted + synced constantly in live time, so its critical that an effective hash algorithm can be deployed in this situation that allows for efficient authentication / verification.

LibreCryptography

What's the Big Deal?

Many that aren't really familiar with cryptography often confuse hashing with encryption.

There is a marked difference between the two operations. As such, both functions require entirely different operations.

The cryptographic 'primitive' that you are probably most familiar with = SHA-256 (used in Bitcoin)

To be clear, there are no native encryption mechanisms for Bitcoin - so when we dig into the cryptography laced within its protocol we're working with someone of a 'deficit' (if we're to consider a privacy a desired solution)

^^ But we digress

—

SHA-Based Hash Algorithms Are Designed or Speed

Contrary to Argon2 (which is memory-intensive to a much greater extent than 'Scrypt') - SHA-based algorithms are designed to be optimized by hardware.

This may seem counterintuitive, but when in an environment where quickly hashing & validating information is of importance (i.e., 'live-time' encryption "on the fly" where hash algorithms are needed to rapidly assess the integrity of whatever assets are being transferred / obtained /etc.)

One example of an app that we have deployed (open source) where this means of hashing (plus authenticating data) is favorable vs. Argon2id = StandardNotes (encrypted, synced notes manager)

Link = https://standardnotes.org/

Every note created on the app has its own signature & the notes are encrypted + synced constantly in live time, so its critical that an effective hash algorithm can be deployed in this situation that allows for efficient authentication / verification.

Standardnotes

Standard Notes | End-To-End Encrypted Notes App

Standard Notes helps you gain control in a world that often feels out of control. Protect your life's work with end-to-end encryption, advanced security measures, and unmatched privacy controls.

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87 viewsApr 27, 2020 at 14:08