- SHA-256 is the algorithm that ensures that Bitcoin remains all but unhackable
- It is an essential part of Bitcoin’s proof-of-work algorithm
- What exactly is SHA-256 and is it really hack proof?
We’re often told that Bitcoin is essentially unhackable, but what is it that makes it so secure? The not-so-secret ingredient is SHA-256, the hashing algorithm that ensures that the Bitcoin blockchain is harder to crack than a diamond Easter egg. But what is SHA-256 and why is it so secure? Let’s find out.
Bits and Fingerprints
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) is a cryptographic hash function that takes in a message or input data of any length and produces a fixed-size output of 256 bits. The main purpose of a hash function is to generate a unique digital fingerprint, or hash value, of the input data. This fingerprint is usually used to verify the integrity of the original data or to ensure that it has not been tampered with. If even a small change is made to the input data, the resulting hash value will be completely different.
The SHA-256 algorithm is considered to be highly secure because it is resistant to collision attacks, which means that it is extremely difficult to find two different input values that produce the same hash value. SHA-256 is widely used in various applications such as digital signatures, password storage, and blockchain technology to ensure the security and integrity of data.
The Backbone of Bitcoin Mining
The SHA-256 algorithm is a fundamental component of the Bitcoin blockchain’s security. It is used to create the proof-of-work algorithm, which is essential for verifying and adding new blocks to the blockchain, where Bitcoin miners compete to solve a complex mathematical puzzle by repeatedly hashing a block of Bitcoin transactions using this algorithm. The first miner to solve the puzzle and find the correct hash value is rewarded with new bitcoins and the right to add a new block to the blockchain.
The difficulty of the mathematical puzzle is adjusted regularly to ensure that new blocks are added to the blockchain at a consistent rate. This process of using the SHA-256 algorithm to verify and add new blocks to the blockchain is what makes the Bitcoin network secure and resistant to tampering.
Moreover, because the SHA-256 algorithm produces a unique hash value for each block, any attempt to alter a block’s contents would require the recalculation of the block’s hash value and the hashes of all subsequent blocks in the chain. This makes it incredibly difficult and computationally expensive to tamper with the blockchain, as it would require a significant amount of computational power to recalculate all of the hashes in the chain.
Will Quantum Computing Kill Bitcoin
There have been some claims that quantum computing will be able to hack the SHA-256 algorithm, but this is only theoretical at this point. Quantum computing works differently than classical computing by using quantum bits or qubits, which can be in multiple states at the same time. This allows quantum computers to perform certain computations much faster than classical computers. One of the potential applications of quantum computing is breaking commonly used cryptographic algorithms such as SHA-256.
However, the development of a quantum computer that is powerful enough to break SHA-256 and other cryptographic algorithms is still in its early stages. It would require thousands or even millions of qubits and a very stable quantum system to perform the necessary calculations, and it is doubtful that any entity would use such a computer for attempting to hack the Bitcoin blockchain when they could use it to infiltrate an ideologically opposed government’s secret communications.
Furthermore, researchers are actively working on developing new cryptographic algorithms that are resistant to quantum attacks, known as post-quantum cryptography. So even if a powerful quantum computer is developed in the future, there are alternative cryptographic algorithms that can be used to protect the security of systems that currently rely on SHA-256 and other cryptographic functions.
