Secure Hash Algorithm is a means of data encryption, often used in data transit, but is also as a way of validating a file's digital signature. This app will calculate a files digital signature for both its MD5 checksum and SHA-256 digital signatures. These signatures can be used to compare the downloaded file with the posted values to ensure that the file wasn't corrupted or changed by some other legitimate or illegitimate processes. To use this app, simply drag-and-drop a file into the app, or browse for a file - the MD5 and SHA-256 values will be calculated automatically. To compare, just paste the MD5 and/or SHA-25 values in the textboxes and click on the compare button to validate if it matches the values from the first step. Although this app doesn't have any help screen, it does use "tool tips" as a means of assisting with the user interface. Simply move the mouse over icons and a tool tip will appear. Lastly, this algorithm is independent of the file name, date created, or stored location, all of which can be changed and still produce the same digital signatures.
While there are ways to produce the MD5 and SHA-256 values using the Windows Command prompt, it is much more cumbersome than using this app. This app can be used to validate the digital signatures for all of the Rock-Village Systems apps; the file's values are provided on each program's page. Hope that you find it useful for these programs or with other applications.
This is a Windows application.
MD5: e7c2e2b16d51d108efce94914d2c9c3d
SHA256: c72bfe804e5293f04a4d2c44759ec99041ac98f73e3acd084f88a7b5ada45a24
Updated April 2023