History and Overview of SHA3-384

SHA3-384 is part of the SHA-3 family, standardized by NIST in 2015 after an open competition that selected the Keccak algorithm. It was designed to provide a robust alternative to the SHA-2 family, with a longer output length for increased security. SHA3-384 is used in applications where a high level of collision resistance and security is needed, such as digital signatures and data integrity verification.

Key historical milestones:

• 2012:The Keccak algorithm is submitted to NIST’s hash function competition.
• 2015:NIST standardizes SHA-3, including SHA3-384, as a modern and secure hash function.
• Today:SHA3-384 is used in secure communications and cryptographic applications requiring a 384-bit hash.

What is SHA3-384?

SHA3-384 is a cryptographic hash function that processes an input of arbitrary length and produces a fixed 384-bit (48-byte) output, typically rendered as a 96-character hexadecimal string. It is built on a sponge construction mechanism where the input data is absorbed and then squeezed out to form the hash. Like all cryptographic hashes, SHA3-384 is deterministic and one-way, meaning the same input always produces the same hash and it is computationally infeasible to reverse the process.

Core purposes of SHA3-384:

• Data Integrity:Verify that data remains unchanged.
• Digital Fingerprinting:Create a unique signature for documents and files.
• Security Applications:Serve in secure communications and digital signatures where enhanced collision resistance is essential.

How Does SHA3-384 Work?

SHA3-384 utilizes the sponge construction model, which involves two primary phases: absorption and squeezing.

1. Padding:The input message is padded using a multi-rate padding scheme so that its length becomes compatible with the algorithm’s rate.
2. Absorption:The padded message is divided into fixed-size blocks that are absorbed into an internal state using the Keccak permutation function.
3. Squeezing:After all blocks are absorbed, the output is squeezed from the state. For SHA3-384, the output is truncated to 384 bits and then rendered as a 96-character hexadecimal string.

Below is a simplified pseudocode representation:

function SHA3_384(message) {
  paddedMessage = pad(message);         // Apply multi-rate padding
  state = initializeState();            // Initialize internal state
  for (each block in paddedMessage) {
    state = keccakPermutation(state, block); // Absorb each block
  }
  return truncate(squeeze(state), 384); // Squeeze out a 384-bit hash
}
  

SHA3-384 Examples

• Example 1:
  Input:"hello"
  SHA3-384 Hash:720aea11019ef06440fbf05d87aa24680a2153df3907b23631e7177ce620fa1330ff07c0fddee54699a4c3ee0ee9d887
• Example 2:
  Input:"BMR ONLINE TOOLS"
  SHA3-384 Hash:a512658b6baf421d3b0888403bc0ff1909bdeab40a05f8189fc7bc1d8fd93ebf34754729b652f42366fe29e80aa41a92

These examples illustrate that even minor differences in input produce completely different, fixed-length 384-bit hash values.

Why SHA3-384 Decryption Is Impossible

• One-Way Function:SHA3-384 is designed to be irreversible, so once data is hashed, recovering the original input is computationally infeasible.
• Security Through Irreversibility:This one-way design ensures data integrity and prevents reverse-engineering of the input.
• Hash Lookup:Instead of decryption, systems verify data by comparing the computed hash with a pre-stored hash value.

This irreversible nature makes SHA3-384 highly effective for secure data verification but means that decryption is not possible.

Hash Lookup vs. Decryption

Hash Lookup:Involves computing the hash of an input and comparing it to a database of precomputed hash values. This method is used to verify data integrity or authenticate users without revealing the original data.

Decryption:Refers to reversing an encryption process to recover the original input. Since SHA3-384 is a one-way hash function, decryption is impossible; only hash lookup methods can be used for verification.

Limitations and Best Practices

• Collision Resistance:SHA3-384 offers a high level of collision resistance, though no hash function is completely immune to collisions.
• Usage Recommendations:SHA3-384 is ideal for applications where strong security and data integrity are required, such as digital signatures and secure communications.

Best Practices:Use SHA3-384 for security-critical applications. For scenarios requiring a shorter hash, consider using SHA3-224; always select the hash function that best meets your security needs.

Key Takeaways & Learnings

SHA3-384 is a secure and robust hash function that produces a 384-bit hash value using the innovative sponge construction of the SHA-3 family. Its one-way design ensures that decryption is impossible, making it an excellent tool for verifying data integrity and authenticating information.

Widely adopted in high-security applications, SHA3-384 is a testament to modern cryptographic advancements. AtBMR ONLINE TOOLS, we provide advanced encryption and hashing solutions that harness the power of SHA3-384 to safeguard your data with state-of-the-art security.