How many bits encryption does SHA-1 use?

The correct answer is D. 160. SHA-1 produces a fixed-length 160-bit (20-byte) hash digest, which is its defining output characteristic.

Penetration Testing Foundations & Reconnaissance

Question

Options

A140
B512
C128
D160

How the community answered

(31 responses)

A
13% (4)
B
6% (2)
C
3% (1)
D
77% (24)

Why each option

SHA-1 produces a fixed-length 160-bit (20-byte) hash digest, which is its defining output characteristic.

A140

140 bits is not the output length of any standard cryptographic hash algorithm.

B512

512 bits is the output length of SHA-512, a member of the SHA-2 family, not SHA-1.

C128

128 bits is the output length of MD5, a different and older hashing algorithm.

D160Correct

SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1), standardized in FIPS PUB 180-4, always produces a 160-bit message digest regardless of input size. This 160-bit output distinguishes SHA-1 from MD5 (128-bit) and SHA-2 family variants such as SHA-256 or SHA-512.

Concept tested: SHA-1 hash algorithm output bit length

Source: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/fips/180/4/final

Topics

#SHA-1#hash algorithms#cryptography basics#digest length

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