Performance Analysis of MD5 and SHA-256 Algorithms to Maintain Data Integrity

Recent advancement and increase in digitization in every dimension of life has led to increase in data leaks. It is hence very important to protect data from cyber-attacks. Cryptography is an indispensable tool which is used to maintain data integrity or protect the information in all digital devices. It converts a simple plain text into its hashed form which cannot be reversed. It is especially used in storing passwords, digital advertising firms use them so that personally identifiable information is not used, and it is widely used in transmission of messages via digital medium. The application of cryptography only keeps increasing every day. This paper presents a detailed review of two important hashing techniques, MD5 and SHA-256 algorithm and which is preferred better to maintain Data Integrity. It converts the data into irreversible, fixed length text.