Digital Forensic Certification Practice Exam

Which cryptographic hash algorithm did Samuel use to ensure the integrity of the data he collected?

1. MD5

2. SHA

3. RIPEMD

4. Whirlpool

The correct answer is: SHA

The correct answer, SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm), is widely recognized for its robustness and security features, making it a popular choice for ensuring data integrity. SHA, particularly the SHA-2 family, provides a higher level of security compared to other algorithms such as MD5 and some versions of RIPEMD, which are now considered less secure and vulnerable to various attacks, including collision attacks. When verifying the integrity of collected data, using a secure hash function like SHA ensures that even a slight change in the input data will produce a significantly different hash output, alerting the user to any alterations. This property is critical in digital forensics, as maintaining the integrity of evidence is paramount. While MD5 is faster and has historically been used for data integrity checks, its vulnerabilities make it less suitable for sensitive applications. Similarly, while RIPEMD and Whirlpool serve as alternative hashing functions, SHA's adoption by various security standards and its ongoing updates make it the preferred option in many contexts, including digital forensics. Therefore, selecting SHA aligns with best practices in ensuring data integrity.