Let’s talk about BLAKE2b Hash and MAC Algorithm a new kid on the block that provides better performance and security than its predecessor SHA-1. This algorithm is optimized for 64-bit platforms and can produce digests of any size between 1 and 64 bytes, making it perfect for use in various applications.
One unique feature of BLAKE2b is that it has a built-in keying mechanism that eliminates the need for an HMAC (Hashed Message Authentication Code) construction for message authentication. This means you don’t have to waste precious CPU cycles on extra calculations just to make sure your data is secure.
BLAKE2b also provides better performance and security than its predecessor SHA-1 while also offering a keyed message authentication code (MAC) feature using an additional input value called a secret key. This allows you to authenticate and verify messages without having to transmit the entire message over an insecure channel.
So how does it work? Let’s break it down:
First, you need to choose your desired digest size and initialize the hash function with that value. The BLAKE2b algorithm supports any output length between 1 byte (8 bits) and 64 bytes (512 bits). For example, if you want a 32-byte hash, set the output length to 0x20 (hexadecimal for decimal 32).
Next, feed your data into the algorithm one chunk at a time. Each chunk is processed using a modified version of the Davies-Meyer hash function. The input data is split into chunks of up to 128 bytes each and then fed through the hash function. This process continues until all of the input data has been processed.
The output of the hash function is a fixed-size digest that represents your original data. You can use this digest for various purposes, such as verifying the integrity of files or messages.
BLAKE2b also provides a keyed message authentication code (MAC) feature using an additional input value called a secret key. This allows you to authenticate and verify messages without having to transmit the entire message over an insecure channel. The MAC is calculated by feeding both the data and the secret key through the hash function, resulting in a fixed-size output that can be used for verification purposes.