Sha256 decryption and mining features. Explaining crypto-algorithms of mining The technical principle of the algorithm

Why SHA was created - 256

SHA 256 - short for Secure Hashing Algorithm - is a popular cryptographic hashing algorithm developed by the National Security Agency - US National Security Agency. The task of SHA - 256 is to make certain values \u200b\u200bof a fixed length from a random data set, which will serve as identifier this data.

The resulting value is compared to duplicates of the original data that cannot be retrieved. The main scope of the algorithm is the use in various applications or services related to information security, where the function has become widespread. spreading. It is also used as a technology for cryptocurrency mining.

This algorithm belongs to the group of encryption algorithms SHA - 2, which in turn are developed on the basis of the SHA - 1 algorithm, first created in 1995 for civilian use. SHA-2 itself was developed by the US National Security Agency in the spring of 2002. Within three years, the US NSA issued a patent for the use of SHA technology in civilian projects.

In 2012, an updated version of the algorithm was created at the National Institute of Standards and Technology: SHA - 3. Over time, the new algorithm will replace both the current main algorithm SHA - 2, and the already obsolete, but still used SHA - 1.

Hash - the sum is not a data encryption technology in the classical sense, this makes it impossible to decrypt data in the opposite direction. This is a one - way encryption for any amount of data . All SHA algorithms are based on the Merkle-Damgard method: data is divided into uniform groups, each of which passes through a one-way compression function. As a result, the length of the data is reduced.

This method has two significant advantages:

fast encryption speed and almost impossible decryption without keys;
minimal risk of collisions (identical images).

Where else is it used

Every day, every Web user, knowing or not, uses SHA-256: the SSL security certificate that secures every website includes the SHA-256 algorithm. This is necessary to establish and authenticate a secure connection to the site.

Pros of SHA-256

SHA - 256 - the most common mining algorithm among all others. It has proven itself to be hack-resistant (with rare exceptions) and an efficient algorithm for both mining tasks and other purposes.

Cons of SHA - 256

The main disadvantage of SHA-256 is its accountability miners : the owners of the largest computing power receive most of the cryptocurrency, which excludes one of fundamental principles of cryptocurrencies decentralization.

After large investors started investing in computing power for industrial mining of bitcoin, the complexity of mining increased exponentially and began to require exceptional computing power. This shortcoming is corrected in other protocols, more modern and "sharpened" for use in cryptocurrency mining, such as Scrypt. Despite the fact that today SHA - 256 occupies a large part of the cryptocurrency market, it will weaken its influence in favor of more secure and advanced protocols.

After a while SHA - 1 algorithms have ceased to provide the required level of reliability due to the likely occurrence of collisions. SHA - 256, like SHA - 512, are more protected from this flaw, but the probability of occurrence is still present.

Use in cryptocurrencies

Mining on SHA - 256

Mining on SHA - 256, as well as on any other algorithm, is the process of solving some kind of complex cryptographic a task that the mining program generates based on data from previous blocks.

There are three ways to mine using the SHA-256 function:

CPU (central processing unit);
GPU (graphic processing unit);
specialized processor : ASIC.

In mining, the hash - the amount is used as an identifier for already existing blocks and the creation of new ones based on the previous ones. The mining process is displayed in the interface as "accepted f33ae3bc9 ...". Where f33ae3bc9 is the hash - the sum, part of the data, destined for decryption. The main block consists of a huge number of similar hash sums.

That is, mining with the SHA-256 algorithm is non-stop selection of the correct hash value - sums, enumeration of numbers to create a new block. The more computing power you have, the more likely you are to get the correct block: the speed of sorting through various hash-sums depends on the power.

Due to the fact that Bitcoin is built on the SHA-256 algorithm, for competitive mining on it requires extremely large computing power. This is due to the fact that for bitcoin mining, the production of ASICs has been established for a long time - application specific integrated circuit, i.e. e . integrated circuit for special purposes . ASICs allow you to mine bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies on the SHA-256 algorithm much faster, more efficiently and cheaper.

Which cryptocurrencies use the SHA algorithm - 256

SHA-256 is a classic algorithm for cryptocurrencies: the main cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is built on it. Accordingly, this algorithm is also used in Bitcoin forks: in Bitcoin Cash, Gold, Diamond.

In addition to them, SHA - 256 is also used in:

Steemit;
DigiByte;
peercoin;
namecoin;
Teckcoin;
Ocoin;
Zetacoin;
emercoin.

Also, the SHA-256 algorithm is used as a subroutine in the Litecoin cryptocurrency, and the main algorithm for mining there is Scrypt.

Everyone who has tried to mine and extract digital currency sooner or later came across such a term as SHA256. What does this acronym mean, what features does it have, how does it work? We will talk about all this and much more in more detail.

SHA256.

Decryption SHA256 - short for Secure Hashing Algorithm - is the current hashing algorithm created by the National Security Agency - the US National Security Agency. The task of this algorithm is to execute certain values from a random data set with a length that is fixed. This length is an identifier. The resulting value is compared with duplicates of the original data, which cannot be obtained.

The main area where the SHA256 algorithm is used is in various applications or services related to the protection of information data, where the Secure Hashing Algorithm has spread. Also, using the algorithm, digital currencies are mined.

SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function.

As we all know, when mining crypto coins, we solve the original problem using CPU or GPU processors. The processes are reflected in the interface of the program for the lane, for example, in the form of the string "Accepted 0aef41a3b". 0aef41a3b is the hash. This is the decoding information that corresponds to the hashed code that will be received. To put it differently, this is a line of decrypted data, while the main virtual data block includes thousands, if not millions, of such lines.

This can explain the situation when you need to solve a huge number of tasks before you can find the necessary block of your crypto coin. It turns out that there is a single chance in 1, 10, 100 thousand or even a million decisions that the string that is decrypted will have the exact value required to unlock, or it will be personal data (or block). It's like a draw, a game, but with equipment that can calculate the winning combination faster and better than any miner.

Many people think that in order to solve problems that are associated with a hash using the SHA256 protocol, you will need powerful hardware?

Yes, this is the place to be. The more computing power applied, the better, as the chances of mining a cryptocurrency (SHA256 miner) increase. However, it is important to understand that a huge number of miners earn coins on SHA256. There are those with the most powerful hardware. But you should not be upset, everyone has every chance to win. It's like a lottery draw, it's impossible to predict when fortune will smile! SHA256 mining is an exciting and interesting process that allows you to earn virtual coins.

Technical principle of the algorithm

The SHA256 algorithm is currently implemented in all ASIC miners operating on the market platform, while the ASIC hardware for other mining hash functions is still at the development stage.

In addition to Bitcoin, mining by the SHA256 algorithm is used in many other virtual currency clones. For example, it is used by the altcoins Piircoin and Namecoin. When using SHA256, many people are interested in what cryptocurrencies are used.

The most relevant are the following:

Ocoins.
Tekcoin.
Zetacoin and others

Sha256 and Scrypt are algorithms. Everyone who understands the extraction of virtual currency understands that in order to earn any coin, it is necessary to mine it (that is, download the software, run it and wait until the computer equipment works). So the whole point of mining is that the PC solves the most complex tasks (hash functions) and the more the computer equipment works, the more currency will be mined.

And the tasks that the PC allows may not be arranged in the same way - some are based on the SHA256 algorithm, while others are based on Scrypt (others have also been developed, but these are the most relevant among miners). For example, the well-known Bitcoin is earned using the Sha256 algorithm, and the DogeCoin cryptocurrency is mined using Scrypt. To put it another way, different digital currencies use different algorithms. For what reason?

And here's why - Sha256 turned out to be not difficult, and today, a large number of special devices have appeared (they are called ASICs) that solve problems on this algorithm very quickly, faster than standard powerful processors, so these ASICs bring miners many times more cryptocurrency than conventional computer equipment. Below is a video on which you can understand what is the technical principle of the algorithm.

Features of the SHA-256 protocol

SHA256 has some advantages over other algorithms. This is the most popular lane algorithm among all existing ones. It has proven itself to be hack-resistant (not often) and an efficient algorithm for both lane tasks and other purposes.

There are also disadvantages:

The main disadvantage of SHA256 currency is control by miners.
Those who have huge computing power get the bulk of the crypto, which excludes one of the main principles of virtual money - decentralization.
As soon as the investment in computing power for the industrial Bitcoin mining began, the complexity of mining increased significantly and began to require exceptional computing power. This minus is fixed in other protocols, the most innovative and "sharpened" for the use of digital currencies in the lane, such as Script.

Despite the fact that SHA256 is the market base of crypto these days, it will weaken its influence in favor of the most reliable and modern protocols. SHA256 pools will lose ground. So the SHA-1 algorithms ceased to provide the required level of protection due to the likely development of collisions.

Cryptocurrencies SHA256, like SHA512, are the most protected from this negative moment, but there is still a possibility of risk development. Miner on SHA256, as well as on any other hashing, is the process of resolving some of the most difficult cryptographic tasks that the program generates for the mine based on the information received from the blocks.

Mining with the SHA256 hash function can be done in 3 ways:

ASIC.

In the lane, the hash sum is used as an identifier for the blocks already present, and the creation of new ones based on those that are. The lane process is reflected in the interface as "accepted f33ae3bc9 ...". Where f33ae3bc9 is the hashed sum, the part of the data that is required for decryption. The main block includes a huge number of such hash sums. That is, mining with the SHA256 algorithm is the selection of the correct value of the hashed sum without stopping, sorting through numbers in order to create the next block. The more powerful the equipment, the more likely it is to become the owner of that very correct block: the speed of sorting out various kinds of amounts depends on the capacities. Because Bitcoin is built on the SHA256 algorithm, it requires extremely large computing power to be able to compete on it.

This is due to the fact that the production of ASICs is enough for the production of cryptocurrency, namely, a special scheme for a special purpose. Asics make it possible to mine Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies on the SHA-256 hash function faster, more efficiently and inexpensively.

What other SHA-256 cryptocurrencies can be mined? SHA-256 is a classic for digital currencies: the main virtual currency, Bitcoin, is built on it. That is why this hash is also used in bitcoin forks: in bitcoin cash, gold, diamond.

In addition to them, SHA-256 is also used in:

Steamit.
Digibyte.
Peercoin.
Namecoin.
Tikkoin.
Okoin.
Zetacoin.
Emircoin.

Also, the algorithm is used as a subroutine in the Litecoin digital currency, and Scrypt will be the main algorithm for the mine there.

Pseudocode hash: functions

Scypt-Jane differs in that it supports more than 3 different stream cipher systems. And in order to form a clear understanding of the algorithm, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the functional. Main functions:

ChaCha20.
Salsa6420/8.

First of all we have Salsa20/8. This is a fairly simple function, the main task of which is to receive a 192-byte string (from numbers and letters) and then convert it to a 64-byte Salsa20 (x) string.

Salsa20 is two-component: stream encryption for the data cipher and a compression function (Rumba20 algorithm) that is needed to compress a 192-byte string to a 64-byte one. To put it another way, a string can be larger than 64 bytes until it becomes equal to 192 bytes, in which case the string will be compressed to 64 bytes. ChaCha20 has a few similarities to Salsa20: it is also a stream encryption, but it provides some additional features, such as increased resistance to cryptanalysis.

Chacha20 also increases data shuffling per round. In other words, when mining digital coins in a pool, you can see that one mining round can include either a short or a long time period. The length of time it takes for the mining pool to find one block is partly determined by the better mixing offered by Chacha20 of Scratpit Jane.

By the way, various factors influence the decrease in the round time. Another important function of mixing information in Script-Jane is Salsa6420/8. It is an improved version of Salsa20/8, and allows you to work with the most high-byte blocks. In addition to these functions, Jane's Script also supports a number of hashes, including SHA256. The algorithm also supports its most innovative version, SHA512.

Hashing example

What is hashing? The idea of a hash is based on the distribution of keys in a standard array H. The distribution occurs by calculating for each element key a certain hash function h. Based on the key, it helps to get an integer n, which will serve as an index for the array H. Of course, you should come up with a hash function that would give a different code for various objects. For example, if strings are to be used as the key of a hashed table, then you can choose a hashed function that is based on the following algorithm (example in C): int hash(char* str) (int h = 0; for (int i=0; i

Where m is the size of the hashed table, C is constant, greater than any ord(c), and ord() is a function that returns the character code (number). For a separate data type, you can create your own hash function. But the basic requirements for the function have been developed: it must arrange the keys in the cells of the hashed table as most evenly, and it must be easy to find. Below is a table. It can be understood that the indexes of the keys in the hashed table are the result of the h function that is applied to the key.

Also the image shows one of the main problems. With a fairly low value of m (the size of the hashed table) relative to n (number of keys), or with a bad function, it can happen that 2 keys will be hashed into a common cell of the array H. This is a collision.

Good functions tend to reduce the chance of collisions to zero, but given that the space of all keys that are possible can be larger than the size of the hashed table H, they still cannot be avoided. But experts have developed a number of technologies to resolve collisions. The pool SHA256 setting for mining coins is shown in the video. You can understand how to mine cryptocurrency.

SHA256 - short for Secure Hashing Algorithm - is the current hashing algorithm created by the National Security Agency - the US National Security Agency. The task of this algorithm is to execute certain values from a random data set with a length that is fixed. This length is an identifier. The resulting value is compared with duplicates of the original data, which cannot be obtained.

SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function.
As we all know, when mining crypto coins, we solve the original problem using CPU or GPU processors. The processes are reflected in the interface of the program for the lane, for example, in the form of the string "Accepted 0aef41a3b". 0aef41a3b is the hash. This is the decoding information that corresponds to the hashed code that will be received. To put it differently, this is a line of decrypted data, while the main virtual data block includes thousands, if not millions, of such lines.

Code
This can explain the situation when you need to solve a huge number of tasks before you can find the necessary block of your crypto coin. It turns out that there is a single chance in 1, 10, 100 thousand or even a million decisions that the string that is decrypted will have the exact value required to unlock, or it will be personal data (or block). It's like a draw, a game, but with equipment that can calculate the winning combination faster and better than any miner.

Many people think that in order to solve problems that are associated with a hash using the SHA256 protocol, you will need powerful hardware?

Hardware

Technical principle of the algorithm
Zetacoin
The SHA256 algorithm is currently implemented in all ASIC miners operating on the market platform, while the ASIC hardware for other mining hash functions is still at the development stage.
In addition to Bitcoin, mining by the SHA256 algorithm is used in many other virtual currency clones. For example, it is used by the altcoins Piircoin and Namecoin. When using SHA256, many people are interested in what cryptocurrencies are used.

The most relevant are the following:

Ocoins.
Tekcoin.
Zetacoin and others
Sha256 and Scrypt are algorithms. Everyone who understands the extraction of virtual currency understands that in order to earn any coin, it is necessary to mine it (that is, download the software, run it and wait until the computer equipment works). So the whole point of mining is that the PC solves the most complex tasks (hash functions) and the more the computer equipment works, the more currency will be mined.

Features of the SHA-256 protocol

There are also disadvantages:

The main disadvantage of SHA256 currency is control by miners.
Those who have huge computing power get the bulk of the crypto, which excludes one of the main principles of virtual money - decentralization.

As soon as the investment in computing power for the industrial Bitcoin mining began, the complexity of mining increased significantly and began to require exceptional computing power. This minus is fixed in other protocols, the most innovative and "sharpened" for the use of digital currencies in the lane, such as Script.

Mining with the SHA256 hash function can be done in 3 ways:

CPU.
GPU.
ASIC.
In the lane, the hash sum is used as an identifier for the blocks already present, and the creation of new ones based on those that are. The lane process is reflected in the interface as "accepted f33ae3bc9 ...". Where f33ae3bc9 is the hashed sum, the part of the data that is required for decryption. The main block includes a huge number of such hash sums. That is, mining with the SHA256 algorithm is the selection of the correct value of the hashed sum without stopping, sorting through numbers in order to create the next block. The more powerful the equipment, the more likely it is to become the owner of that very correct block: the speed of sorting out various kinds of amounts depends on the capacities. Because Bitcoin is built on the SHA256 algorithm, it requires extremely large computing power to be able to compete on it.

In addition to them, SHA-256 is also used in:

Steamit.
Digibyte.
Peercoin.
Namecoin.
Tikkoin.
Okoin.
Zetacoin.
Emircoin.
Also, the algorithm is used as a subroutine in the Litecoin digital currency, and Scrypt will be the main algorithm for the mine there.

Pseudocode hash: functions
Pseudocode
Pseudocode.
Scypt-Jane differs in that it supports more than 3 different stream cipher systems. And in order to form a clear understanding of the algorithm, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the functional. Main functions:

Salsa20/8.
ChaCha20.
Salsa6420/8.
First of all we have Salsa20/8. This is a fairly simple function, the main task of which is to receive a 192-byte string (from numbers and letters) and then convert it to a 64-byte Salsa20 (x) string.

Salsa20/8
Salsa20/8.
Salsa20 is two-component: stream encryption for the data cipher and a compression function (Rumba20 algorithm) that is needed to compress a 192-byte string to a 64-byte one. To put it another way, a string can be larger than 64 bytes until it becomes equal to 192 bytes, in which case the string will be compressed to 64 bytes. ChaCha20 has a few similarities to Salsa20: it is also a stream encryption, but it provides some additional features, such as increased resistance to cryptanalysis.

Hashing example
Scheme
Scheme.
What is hashing? The idea of a hash is based on the distribution of keys in a standard array H. The distribution occurs by calculating for each element key a certain hash function h. Based on the key, it helps to get an integer n, which will serve as an index for the array H. Of course, you should come up with a hash function that would give a different code for various objects. For example, if strings are to be used as the key of a hashed table, then you can choose a hashed function that is based on the following algorithm (example in C): int hash(char* str) (int h = 0; for (int i=0; i
Where m is the size of the hashed table, C is constant, greater than any ord(c), and ord() is a function that returns the character code (number). For a separate data type, you can create your own hash function. But the basic requirements for the function have been developed: it must arrange the keys in the cells of the hashed table as most evenly, and it must be easy to find. Below is a table. It can be understood that the indexes of the keys in the hashed table are the result of the h function that is applied to the key.

Key
Key.
Also the image shows one of the main problems. With a fairly low value of m (the size of the hashed table) relative to n (number of keys), or with a bad function, it can happen that 2 keys will be hashed into a common cell of the array H. This is a collision.

SHA 256, short for Secure Hashing Algorithm, is a popular cryptographic hashing algorithm developed by the National Security Agency. The task of SHA-256 is to make certain fixed-length values from a random set of data, which will serve as an identifier for this data.

The resulting value is compared with duplicates of the original data that cannot be retrieved. The main scope of the algorithm is the use in various applications or services related to information security, where the function has become widespread. It is also used as a technology for cryptocurrency mining.

This algorithm belongs to the group of SHA-2 encryption algorithms, which in turn are developed on the basis of the SHA-1 algorithm, first created in 1995 for civilian use. SHA-2 itself was developed by the US National Security Agency in the spring of 2002. Within three years, the US NSA issued a patent for the use of SHA technology in civilian projects.

In 2012, an updated version of the algorithm was created at the National Institute of Standards and Technology: SHA-3. Over time, the new algorithm will replace both the current main SHA-2 algorithm and the already obsolete but still used SHA-1.

The hash sum is not a data encryption technology in the classical sense, which makes it impossible to decrypt data in the opposite direction. This is a one-way encryption for any amount of data. All SHA algorithms are based on the Merkle-Damgard method: data is divided into uniform groups, each of which passes through a one-way compression function. As a result, the data length is reduced.

This method has two significant advantages:

fast encryption speed and almost impossible decryption without keys;
minimal risk of collisions (identical images).
Where else is it used
Every day every web user, knowing or not, uses SHA-256: the SSL security certificate that secures every website includes the SHA-256 algorithm. This is necessary to establish and authenticate a secure connection to the site.

Pros of SHA-256
SHA-256 is the most common mining algorithm among all the others. It has proven itself to be hack-resistant (with rare exceptions) and an efficient algorithm for both mining tasks and other purposes.

Cons of SHA-256
The main disadvantage of SHA-256 is its control by miners: the owners of the largest computing power receive most of the cryptocurrency, which excludes one of the fundamental principles of cryptocurrencies - decentralization.

After large investors began to invest in computing power for industrial mining of bitcoin, the complexity of mining increased exponentially and began to require exceptional computing power. This shortcoming has been corrected in other protocols, more modern and "sharpened" for use in cryptocurrency mining, such as Scrypt. Despite the fact that SHA-256 occupies a large part of the cryptocurrency market today, it will weaken its influence in favor of more secure and advanced protocols.

After some time, the SHA-1 algorithms ceased to provide the required level of reliability due to the likely occurrence of collisions. SHA-256, like SHA-512, is more protected from this flaw, but the possibility of occurrence is still present.

Use in cryptocurrencies

Mining on SHA-256, like on any other algorithm, is the process of solving some complex cryptographic problem that the mining program generates based on data from previous blocks.

Overview of the SHA-256 Encryption Algorithm

There are three ways to mine using the SHA-256 function:

CPU (central processing unit);
GPU (graphic processing unit);
specialized processor: ASIC.
In mining, the hash sum is used as an identifier for already existing blocks and the creation of new ones based on the previous ones. The mining process is displayed in the interface as "accepted f33ae3bc9 ...". Where f33ae3bc9 is the hash sum, the piece of data to be decrypted. The main block consists of a huge number of similar hash sums.

That is, mining with the SHA-256 algorithm is a non-stop selection of the correct hash value, sorting through numbers to create a new block. The more computing power you have, the more likely you are to get the right block: the speed of sorting through various hash sums depends on the power.

Due to the fact that Bitcoin is built on the SHA-256 algorithm, it requires extremely large computing power for competitive mining. This is due to the fact that for bitcoin mining, the production of "asics" - an application specific integrated circuit, i.e., a special-purpose integrated circuit, has been established for a long time. ASICs allow you to mine bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies on the SHA-256 algorithm much faster, more efficiently and cheaper.

Which cryptocurrencies use the SHA-256 algorithm
SHA-256 is a classic algorithm for cryptocurrencies: the main cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is built on it. Accordingly, this algorithm is also used in Bitcoin forks: in Bitcoin Cash, Gold, Diamond.

In addition to them, SHA-256 is also used in:

Steemit;
DigiByte;
peercoin;
namecoin;
Teckcoin;
Ocoin;
Zetacoin;
emercoin.
Also, the SHA-256 algorithm is used as a subroutine in the Litecoin cryptocurrency, and the main algorithm for mining there is Scrypt.

SHA is short for Secure Hashing Algorithm. It is a popular cryptographic hashing algorithm developed by the NSA (National Security Agency) of the United States.
This algorithm belongs to the SHA-2 family of 224-512 bit hash encryption algorithms, which in turn were developed from the SHA-1 160 bit hash algorithm first created in 1995 for civilian use. purposes (federal information processing standard FIPS PUB 180-1).

The SHA-2 family itself was developed by the US National Security Agency in the spring of 2002 (FIPS PUB 180-2, which included SHA-1). Within three years, the NSA issued a patent for the use of SHA technology in civilian projects as well (in February 2004, the SHA-224 hash function was added to FIPS PUB 180-2). In October 2008, a new edition of the standard, FIPS PUB 180-3, was released. In March 2012, the latest revision of FIPS PUB 180-4 was released, which added SHA-512/256 and SHA-512/224 functions based on the SHA-512 hashing algorithm (due to the fact that on 64-bit architectures, the SHA-512 function is much faster than the standard SHA-256, designed for 32 bits).

In 2012, the National Institute of Standards and Technology created an updated version of the algorithm: SHA-3 (Keccak). SHA-3 is a variable bit hashing algorithm. It was developed and published in 2008 by a group of authors led by Joan Dymen, co-author of Rijndael, author of algorithms and ciphers MMB, SHARK, Noekeon, SQUARE and BaseKing. On October 2, 2012, SHA-3 became the winner of the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) cryptography algorithm competition. The competition itself was announced in November 2007, was created and held to supplement and further replace the already outdated families of hash functions SHA-1 and SHA-2. On August 5, 2015, the new algorithm was published and approved as a new FIPS 202 standard. In the implementation of SHA-3, the creators report that it requires only 12.5 cycles per byte to run when executed on a regular PC with a processor similar to Intel Core2Duo. However, in reality, when implemented in hardware, Keccak turned out to be much faster than the other finalists of the competition. Over time, the new hashing algorithm will replace both the obsolete but still occasionally used SHA-1 and the basic algorithm that is SHA-2.

How and why is SHA-256 used?
The task of this algorithm is to create certain fixed-length values from a set of random data, which will serve as an identifier for this data. The resulting value is compared with duplicates of the original data, which cannot be extracted (decrypted) in any way. The main scope of SHA-256 is its use in various services or applications related to encryption / decryption, as well as information security, where this function is very widely used. Also, the SHA-256 algorithm is used as a technology for mining several popular cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Steemit, DigiByte, PeerCoin, NameCoin and some others), but more on that below.

The hash sum is not a data encryption technology in its classical sense, this is what makes it impossible to decrypt data in the opposite direction. This is one-way encryption in principle for any amount of data and any type of data. All SHA algorithms are based on the Merkla-Damgard method: first, the data is divided into homogeneous groups, then each of these groups goes through an irreversible and one-way compression function, as a result of which the data length is significantly reduced.

The method has two significant advantages:

Fast encryption speed and almost impossible decryption without keys
Minimal risk of collisions (identical images).
Where else is the SHA-256 algorithm used?
Every day, every Internet user, knowing it or not, uses SHA-256 on an almost daily basis: the SSL security certificate that secures almost all sites is based on the use of the SHA-256 algorithm. This is necessary to establish and authenticate a secure and secure connection to the site.

Pros of SHA-256

SHA-256 is the most common smart encryption algorithm among all the others. It has proven itself to be hack-resistant (with rare exceptions) and an efficient algorithm for cryptocurrency mining tasks, as well as for other purposes.

Cons of SHA-256

The main disadvantage of the algorithm in the case of mining is its excessive control by the miners: the owners of the largest computing power (mainly China) receive most of the mined cryptocurrency, which excludes decentralization as one of the main principles of almost all cryptocurrencies.

Mining based on the SHA-256 algorithm
Mining on SHA-256, like mining based on any other encryption algorithm, is the process of solving any complex cryptographic problem created by the mining program based on the data of previous blocks.

Using SHA-256, you can mine in three different ways:

CPU (central processing unit) - the slowest and most unprofitable way
GPU (GPU)
ASIC (dedicated processor or integrated circuit) is one of the fastest and most profitable ways
During the mining process, the hashsum is used as an identifier for already existing blocks and the creation of new blocks based on the previous ones. The main block consists of a huge number of similar hashsums. Thus, mining using the SHA-256 algorithm is a non-stop choice of the correct hash value and the search for values to create a new block. The more computing power of your equipment, the greater the chance to get the correct block: the speed of hashsum enumeration directly depends on the capabilities of the equipment.

Due to the fact that bitcoin mining, like some other cryptocurrencies, is based on the SHA-256 algorithm, extremely high computing power is required for competitive mining. This is due to the fact that ASICs and (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) have long been used to mine bitcoin, that is, special-purpose integrated circuits that are designed for only one specific encryption algorithm. ASICs allow you to mine bitcoins faster and more efficiently (and cheaper) and another cryptocurrency whose mining is based on the SHA-256 algorithm.

SHA-256 can rightfully be called a classic cryptocurrency algorithm, because it is based on "digital gold" - bitcoin, as well as all its many forks (Bitcoin Cash, Gold, Diamond and others).

SHA-256 is also used as part of the code in Litecoin, one of the most popular cryptocurrencies, but the main mining algorithm is still Scrypt.

The original version of the SHA-256 algorithm was created by the US National Security Agency in the spring of 2002. A few months later, the National Metrology University published a new encryption protocol in the federally accepted standard for secure data processing FIPS PUB 180-2. In the winter of 2004, it was supplemented with the second version of the algorithm.

Over the next 3 years, the NSA issued a second generation SHA patent under a royalty-free license. This is what gave rise to the application of technology in civilian areas.

Note! Quite an interesting fact: every user of the World Wide Web, without knowing it, uses this protocol during his travels on the Internet. Visiting any web resource protected by an SSL security certificate automatically triggers the execution of the SHA-256 algorithm.

This protocol works with information split into pieces of 512 bits (or in other words 64 bytes). It performs its cryptographic "mixing", and then produces a 256-bit hash code. The algorithm includes a relatively simple round, which is repeated 64 times.

In addition, SHA-256 has pretty good technical parameters:
The block size indicator (bytes) is 64.
The maximum allowable message length (bytes) is 33.
The message digest size characteristic (bytes) is 32.
The standard word size (bytes) is 4.
The internal position length parameter (bytes) is 32.

The number of iterations in one loop is 64 in total.
The speed achieved by the protocol (MiB / s) is approximately 140.
The operation of the SHA-256 algorithm is based on the Merkle-Damgard construction method, according to which the initial indicator is divided into blocks immediately after the change, and those, in turn, into 16 words.

The dataset goes through a loop of 80 or 64 iterations. Each stage is characterized by the start of hashing from the words that make up the block. A couple of them are handled by the function toolkit. Further, the results of the conversion are added up, eventually giving the correct hash code. To generate the next block, the value of the previous one is used. You can't convert them separately.
It is also worth mentioning the 6 bit operations on the basis of which the protocol functions:
"and" - bitwise operation "AND";

"shr" - moves the value to the required number of bits to the right;
"rots" - a command similar in action to the previous one, with the only difference that a cyclic shift is performed;
"||" or concatenation - the operation of connecting parts of a linear structure, most often strings;
"xor" - a command that removes "OR";
"+" is an ordinary addition operation.

As you can see, a fairly typical set of operations for any encryption algorithm.

Cryptographic meaning of SHA-256

In order to determine the value of this algorithm, it is necessary to turn to cryptanalysis. This discipline finds methods to decrypt information without the use of a specialized key.

The first studies of SHA-256 for the presence of vulnerabilities began to be carried out by specialists since 2003. At that time, no errors were found in the protocol.

However, already in mid-2008, a group of experts from India was able to find collisions for 22 iterations of the SHA family of architectures. A few months later, a method was proposed for developing collisions for a truncated version of the protocol, and then for 31 iterations of hashing the direct SHA-256 itself.

During the analysis of the convolution function, its resistance to 2 types of attacks is tested:
The presence of a preimage is the decryption of the initial message by its hash code. Resistance to this type of influence guarantees reliable protection of the results of the transformation.
Finding collisions - similar output data with different input characteristics. The security of an electronic signature using the current protocol is directly dependent on resistance to this type of attack.
The creators of the second generation of the SHA algorithm decided that the new encryption mechanism would operate on the basis of completely different principles. So, in the fall of 2012, the protocol of the third series, Keccak, was born.

Practical application and certification of technology

United States law permits the use of SHA-256 and other similar hashing methods in certain government programs to protect information. In addition, the use of the algorithm by commercial companies is allowed.

Important! Therefore, it is not surprising that this protocol was used in the first digital currency. The issuance of new Bitcoin coins is done by finding strings according to their specified SHA-256 architecture.

How does this affect specialized devices for cryptocurrency mining? Each step in this algorithm has a fairly simple form - a primitive bit operation and a 32-bit addition (anyone who is familiar with the basics of circuitry can easily imagine how this looks like in hardware). Therefore, for the efficient operation of asic miners, you only need to have a dozen blocks for executing the steps of the algorithm.

In contrast to Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin and other similar “coins” use the Scrypt encryption protocol, which is equipped with a difficulty increase function. This algorithm stores 1024 different values of hash functions during its activity, and at the output it combines them and gets the converted result. Due to this, the implementation of the protocol requires incomparably large computing power.

The SHA-256 protocol turned out to be too light and today there are a lot of specialized devices (so-called miners) that successfully bypass it. With their appearance, there was no need to mine on the processor or collect farms from video cards, since ASIC devices allow their owners to earn much more. However, this also has a downside. The use of miners centralizes the cryptocurrency too much, which means that the introduction of new hashing protocols is necessary. Scrypt became such an algorithm - a much more advanced defense mechanism that requires significant performance and therefore theoretically deprives special devices of a special advantage.

From the point of view of an ordinary user, there is no difference between the SHA-256 and Scrypt protocols. You can mine digital currency with your computer or farm on any of these protocols.

The SHA-256 algorithm today occupies more than 40% of the entire market, however, no doubt there are others. And soon they will push the illustrious predecessor. So, among the relatively recent ones, it is necessary to mention the especially “miner-resistant” Dagger protocol, which is going to be used in the Ethereum decentralized platform. Perhaps it is he who will take the baton of the leader in the field of hashing and take the place of SHA-256.

Since its inception, sha256 has been extensively tested for security using cryptanalysis. Cryptanalysis tests the resistance of hash functions to two main types of attacks:

Collision detection - detection of identical hashes with different input parameters. The success rate of this attack compromises the security of the digital signature using the current algorithm.
Finding the prototype - the ability to decrypt the original message by its hash. This attack compromises the security of storing authentication password hashes.

The analysis was first tested in 2003, but no vulnerabilities were found then. As time went on, computing power developed. In 2008, collisions were found for SHA-512 and SHA-256 iterations. In September of the same year, a method for creating collisions for 31 iterations of SHA256 and 27 iterations of SHA-512 was developed.

Obviously, the time has come to develop a new crypto-resistant function. In 2012, SHA-3 was invented by the NSA. Gradually, the updated algorithm will replace its less cryptographic predecessors.

Mining on SHA 256
US law permits the use of SHA and similar hash functions as part of other protocols and algorithms in certain federal non-classified information security applications. The use of SHA-2 by private and commercial organizations is allowed.

No wonder it has been used in cryptocurrencies. Miners collect all transactions into a block and then start hashing it. When a hash value that meets the system rules is found, the block is considered ready to be attached to the end of the blockchain. A new block will be found by someone who can calculate hash values very quickly. The speed of calculations depends on the power of the equipment. Three types of hardware can be used to mine bitcoin:

CPU (central processing unit);
GPU (video cards);
ASIC (specialized device).
The Bitcoin network is designed in such a way that each new block must be found once every 10 minutes. The number of participants in the network is constantly changing, and the time must remain the same. To ensure the same time spent, the system adjusts the complexity of calculations depending on the number of miners. Recently, cryptocurrencies have gained popularity, and the number of miners has increased greatly. To prevent the blocks from being found too quickly, the complexity of the calculations has also increased.

Bitcoin began to be mined on processors. Then, when their power was not enough, they switched to video cards. Soon, the video cards stopped coping. Then asics were invented - special devices sharpened for calculations using the sha 256 algorithm. One asic is much more powerful and energy efficient than several video cards.

Enterprising miners create huge ASIC farms. In addition to the high cost of the equipment itself, such a farm receives electricity bills in the amount of several tens of thousands of dollars every month. Now Bitcoin mining makes sense only on such industrial farms, a home computer or even a farm on several video cards will not be able to compete with them, and even pay for electricity.

However, it is easy to calculate. There are calculators for calculating the profitability of mining on sha256. For example, https://www.coinwarz.com/miningprofitability/sha-256. Enter the hashrate of your equipment (computing power), consumed energy and its cost in the form, the service will calculate the profit.

Altcoins SHA-256
Consider the list and the list of cryptocurrencies working on sha 256.

Bitcoin Cash (BTC)
A fork of Bitcoin that forked from it on August 1, 2017. The block size in classic bitcoin is 1 mb. The network has grown so much that all transactions are no longer placed in the block. This led to the formation of queues of transactions and an increase in the commission for making payments. The community decided to introduce a new protocol, according to which the block increased to 2 mb, part of the information began to be stored outside the blockchain, and the time for recalculating the complexity was reduced from two weeks to a day.

Namecoin (NMC)
It is a system for storing and transmitting name-value combinations based on bitcoin technology. Its most famous application was a domain name allocation system that is independent of ICANN, and thus makes it impossible for a domain to be withdrawn. Namecoin was launched in 2011, it runs on bitcoin mining software redirected to the server running Namecoin.

DigiByte (DGB)
Cryptocurrency launched in 2013 with the aim of improving the characteristics of Bitcoin and Litecoin. DigiByte Differences:

Low volatility is achieved due to the huge number of issued coins (up to 21 billion), which ensures their low cost and convenience for use in calculations;
Fast transactions by doubling the block size every two years;
Low commissions or their absence;

The mining process is divided into five algorithms that allow you to mine coins independently of each other. You can use asics for SHA-256 and Scrypt, video cards for Groestl and Skein, a processor for Qubit.
The SHA 256 algorithm is the most widely used among cryptocurrencies. This was due to the popularity and success of bitcoin, and the desire of altcoin developers to create similar coins. The increase in computational complexity prompted miners to look for ways to mine more efficiently, resulting in the emergence of ASICs.

The owners of huge ASIC farms have gained an advantage in mining and have deprived those who do not want to invest in expensive equipment to mine. All mining was concentrated in the hands of a few giants. The main principle of cryptocurrencies - decentralization - is under threat. Cryptocurrency developers understand this like no one else, so they strive to use such algorithms in their blockchains that it would be impossible to create ASICs for. Successful examples are Ethereum and Monero.

The protocol is designed for data that is divided into parts, the volume of each is 64 bytes. The algorithm provides consolidation, as a result of which a 256-bit code appears. The encryption technology is based on a relatively simple round, the cycle of which is 64 times.

64-byte block size.
The maximum length of the encrypted code is 33 byte.
Message digest parameters - 32 byte.
The default word size is 4 byte.
The number of repetitions within one cycle is 64.
The speed of the algorithm is 140 Mbps.
As mentioned earlier, the SHA-256 protocol is based on the Merkle-Damgard concept, which means that it is first divided into blocks, and only then into individual words.

The set of information passes through a range of repetitions - 64 or 80. Each cycle is accompanied by a transformation of a block of words. The final hash code is generated by summing the initial values.

SHA Options

Cryptocurrencies with SHA-256 algorithm
Consider digital currencies, which are mined according to the principles of the SHA-256 algorithm:

Bitcoin, a currency that needs no further introduction, is still the most popular crypto asset.
Peercoin - uniqueness lies in the fact that the code is based on Bitcoin, but the PoS mechanism is used to protect the network, and PoW is used to distribute coins.
Namecoin is an open source technology that significantly improves security, privacy, decentralization.
Unobtanium - characterized by minimal exposure to inflation. It will take about 300 years to mine Unobtanium coins.
Deutsche eMark is a digital network for the transfer of various assets, such as money. The exchange is carried out without intermediaries.
BetaCoin is an international means of payment that functions on the same principle as the Bitcoin system.

Joulecoin - provides the fastest confirmation of transactions, based on Bitcoin.
IXCoin is another open source project based on the peer-to-peer network principle.
Steemit is a blockchain platform that rewards users for posting unique content.
It is also worth noting that the SHA-256 algorithm is used in the Litecoin system, but exclusively in the subroutine. For mining, the Scrypt protocol is used.

Cryptocurrency mining on the SHA-256 algorithm
Let's start with the fact that there are three ways to mine coins whose systems work according to this protocol:

CPU;
GPU
ASIC.
Mining scheme

The complexity of mining directly depends on what kind of cryptocurrency we are talking about. However, in any case, it is ASIC devices that are most efficient, the main disadvantage of which is their excessively high cost.

On average, an ASIC miner costs about 100 thousand rubles (Asic Miner AVALON 821), but you can also purchase more expensive models, the price of which reaches half a million rubles (Asic Miner BITFURY B8 16NM 50 TH/S).

As for the extraction of cryptocurrency on processors, this method is considered the least effective. Especially when it comes to the digital currency Bitcoin.

The most adequate solution is a farm of video cards. On average, the cost of a profitable farm ranges from $1000-2000. Which video card to choose for cryptocurrency mining on the SHA-256 algorithm?

If we talk about Nvidia, then the GTX 1080 Ti (1400 MH / s) video card will be the best solution. Naturally, the direct competitor in the face of AMD is also not far behind, absolutely all cards of the Vega series are suitable for mining. The Radeon RX Vega video adapter provides mining at a speed of 1200 MH/S. It is this equipment that should be given preference.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, in this case, you can purchase the Radeon 7970, such equipment is capable of delivering up to 800 MH / s. Do not forget that in addition to video cards, other equipment is required to run the farm, for example, cooling radiators, a power supply, RAM, etc.

This is all miners need to know about the SHA-256 algorithm. Of course, many modern cryptocurrencies use the Scrypt protocol, but the mining of the most popular coin (BTC) is still carried out according to this principle.

Alexander Markov

The abbreviation SHA 256 stands for Secure Hashing Algorithm - a popular hashing mechanism created by specialists from the NSA. The key task of the algorithm is the transformation of random information into values with a fixed length, which will be used in the future to identify this information.

History of appearance

We note right away that this is a second-generation algorithm created on the basis of its predecessor, SHA-1, which in turn was developed back in 1995 exclusively for civilian use. An updated version of the now popular algorithm was created by the National Security Agency in 2002.

Three years later, a patent appeared, allowing the use of the algorithm for civilian purposes. The third version of the popular mechanism appeared in 2012, it was developed by specialists from the National Standards Agency. Over time, SHA-3 completely replaced its predecessors.

It is not possible to decrypt the converted data because the hash sum is not considered an encryption process in the classical interpretation of this process. The one-way encryption algorithm processes an unlimited amount of information.

It is worth noting that absolutely all existing versions of the Secure Hashing Algorithm were created according to the Merkle-Damgard principle: information is divided into uniform categories. Each group is subjected to one-sided compression, as a result of which the data length is significantly reduced.

This encryption method has many advantages:

data compression is carried out quickly;
it is impossible to roll back the conversion process without keys;
the probability of collisions is reduced to zero.

Technical specifications

64-byte block size.
The maximum length of the encrypted code is 33 byte.
Message digest parameters - 32 byte.
The default word size is 4 byte.
The number of repetitions within one cycle is 64.
The speed of the algorithm is 140 Mbps.

As mentioned earlier, the SHA-256 protocol is based on the Merkle-Damgard concept, which means that it is first divided into blocks, and only then into individual words.

Cryptocurrencies with SHA-256 algorithm

Consider digital currencies, which are mined according to the principles of the SHA-256 algorithm:

Bitcoin, a currency that needs no further introduction, is still the most popular crypto asset.
Peercoin - uniqueness lies in the fact that the code is based on Bitcoin, but the mechanism is used to protect the network, and PoW is used to distribute coins.
Namecoin is an open source technology that significantly improves security, privacy, decentralization.
Unobtanium - characterized by minimal exposure to inflation. It will take about 300 years to mine Unobtanium coins.
Deutsche eMark is a digital network for the transfer of various assets, such as money. The exchange is carried out without intermediaries.
BetaCoin is an international means of payment that functions on the same principle as the Bitcoin system.
Joulecoin - provides the fastest confirmation of transactions, based on Bitcoin.
IXCoin is another open source project based on the peer-to-peer network principle.
– Blockchain platform that rewards users for posting unique content.

It is also worth noting that the SHA-256 algorithm is used in the Litecoin system, but exclusively in the subroutine. For mining, the Scrypt protocol is used.

Cryptocurrency mining on the SHA-256 algorithm

Let's start with the fact that there are three ways to mine coins whose systems work according to this protocol:

ASIC.

As for the extraction of cryptocurrency on processors, this method is considered the least effective. Especially when it comes to the digital currency Bitcoin.

The most adequate solution is from video cards. On average, the cost of a profitable farm ranges from $1000-2000. Which video card to choose for cryptocurrency mining on the SHA-256 algorithm?

If we talk about Nvidia, then the best solution would be a video card (1400 MH / s). Naturally, the direct competitor in the face of AMD is also not far behind, absolutely all cards of the Vega series are suitable for mining. The Radeon RX Vega video adapter provides mining at a speed of 1200 MH/S. It is this equipment that should be given preference.

Conclusion

The technical basis of the cryptocurrency at the moment is of interest to many who are interested in it. Not everyone is familiar with such a concept as "cryptography". Understanding the essence of what is happening in the so-called Bitcoin protocol is very difficult. But we will still try to do it. First, let's look at the SHA-256 algorithm for mining.

SHA-256 - classic algorithm
Note: every user who works with the Internet has no idea that he works with this algorithm every day, every second. Each Internet resource is protected by an SSL certificate, and visiting it is possible only when working with the SHA-256 algorithm.

The classic SHA-256 algorithm builds all Bitcoin mining. From here comes the mining of other cryptographic currencies (altcoins).

DEFINITION: SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function. Developed by the US National Security Agency.

Main task: hashing data (arbitrary set) into a certain length value (“fingerprint” or another value - “digest”).

Using SHA-256 cryptocurrency mining, the task is solved using a specialized processor or CPU / GPU. Using the program interface, users monitor the conversion processes. In fact, the algorithm selects the correct hash value.

The complexity of mining lies precisely in the fact that it is possible to select the correct hash (to solve a specific problem) only by enumerating the set of tasks. You will have to find not just some hash, but a number, at the very beginning of which there is a certain number of zeros. The chances that the value will be correct are very, very small. That is, the key parameter is the difficulty, which is set by the mining pool.

The complexity of the SHA-256 algorithm
You don't have to be an expert to understand the complexity of hashing when using the SHA-256 protocol. Accordingly, miners have to use incredibly powerful equipment (which will be able to solve the above tasks) to mine cryptocurrency.

The more computing power involved, the greater the likelihood / speed of mining digital coins in any cloud mining service.

Separately, it is worth noting that mining is a function that many specialists are engaged in. And, of course, their software can be much more productive. You should not be upset, as the hashing process is sometimes more like a lottery. When will you be lucky? Unknown.

The SHA-256 algorithm in mining is implemented on every ASIC miner. But ASIC equipment for other algorithms, which we will also note on this site, is only being developed.

The SHA-256 algorithm is present in the process of mining not only bitcoins, but also other crypto-currencies.

Cryptocurrencies based on the SHA-256 algorithm are gaining popularity very actively today: Tekcoin, Ocoin, Zetacoin.

The operation of the SHA-256 algorithm is difficult to understand, so the ideal option is to concentrate on ways / effective strategies for mining cryptocurrency, rather than trying to analyze the algorithm and understand how it works.