SY0-501 Question #87: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

Question

Which of the following is the LEAST secure hashing algorithm?

Options

• ASHA1
• BRIPEMD
• CMD5
• DDES

Explanation

This question tests knowledge of cryptographic hashing algorithm security levels. MD5 is considered the least secure due to its well-documented vulnerabilities and practical collision attacks.

Common mistakes.

• A. SHA1 produces a 160-bit hash and is also considered weak and deprecated, but its collision vulnerabilities were demonstrated later and with greater computational effort than MD5, making it comparatively more secure than MD5.
• B. RIPEMD (particularly RIPEMD-160) produces a 160-bit hash and was specifically designed as a more secure alternative to MD5, with no practical collision attacks demonstrated against its stronger variants, making it more secure than MD5.
• D. DES (Data Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption cipher, not a hashing algorithm, so it does not belong in a comparison of hashing algorithm security; while DES is considered insecure for encryption, it is categorically different from a hash function.

Concept tested. Comparative security of cryptographic hashing algorithms

Reference. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/standard/security/cryptography-model

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