Message Digest

A message digest is a cryptographic hash function containing a string of digits created by a one-way hashing formula.

Message digests are designed to protect the integrity of a piece of data or media to detect changes and alterations to any part of a message. They are a type of cryptography utilizing hash values that can warn the copyright owner of any modifications applied to their work.

Message digest hash numbers represent specific files containing the protected works. One message digest is assigned to particular data content. It can reference a change made deliberately or accidentally, but it prompts the owner to identify the modification as well as the individual(s) making the change. Message digests are algorithmic numbers.