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SQL Server Hosting - HostForLIFE :: Recognizing SQL's One-Way HASHBYTE Characteristic

clock January 8, 2024 07:14 by author Peter

Hashing functions in SQL Server work as cryptographic instruments to produce distinct fixed-size hash values from input data. This compilation features a variety of hash algorithms, all of which are intended to provide unique hash values for a given input string.

  • Once-commonly used MD2, MD4, and MD5 algorithms produce hashes with a length of 128 bits. But now since they have flaws, they are considered insecure.
  • SHA1 and SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm): These algorithms, which are members of the SHA family, generate hash values with different bit lengths. Even while SHA-1 was once in use, its flaws have made it obsolete in favor of safer substitutes.
  • SHA2_256 and SHA2_512: These members of the SHA-2 family provide hash values of 256 and 512 bits, respectively, and are presently regarded as secure in the context of cryptography.

1. Message Digest Algorithm 2, or MD2
A cryptographic hash function called MD2 generates a hash value of 128 bits. Although this older method is renowned for being straightforward, it has flaws and is no longer advised for use in situations where security is a concern.

As an illustration
SELECT HASHBYTES('MD2', 'Hello, World!') AS [MD2 HashValue];

2. MD4 (Message Digest Algorithm 4)
MD4 is a cryptographic hash function designed to produce a 128-bit hash value. It's also considered obsolete and insecure due to vulnerabilities.

Example:
SELECT HASHBYTES('MD4', 'Hello, World!') AS [MD4 HashValue];

3. Message Digest Algorithm 5, or MD5
A popular cryptographic hash algorithm that produces a 128-bit hash result is MD5. However, it is no longer regarded as secure for essential applications because of weaknesses and collision attacks.

As an illustration
SELECT HASHBYTES('MD5', 'Hello, World!') AS [MD5 HashValue];


4. SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm)
The SHA family of cryptographic hash algorithms consists of SHA-1, SHA-2, SHA-3, and SHA-0 (deprecated). More secure versions of SHA-0 and SHA-1 are gradually replacing the deemed weaker ones.

Example
SELECT HASHBYTES('SHA', 'Hello, World!') AS [SHA HashValue];

5. SHA1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1)
A 160-bit hash value is generated by SHA-1. Although it was widely used, vulnerabilities have caused it to be deprecated. Collision attacks were successful because of its flaws.

Example:

SELECT HASHBYTES('SHA1', 'Hello, World!') AS [SHA1 HashValue];

6. SHA2_256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2 - 256 bit):
SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and generates a 256-bit hash value. It's currently considered secure and widely used for various cryptographic applications.

Example

SELECT HASHBYTES('SHA2_256', 'Hello, World!') AS [SHA2_256 HashValue];

7. SHA2_512 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2 - 512 bit)
SHA-512, another member of the SHA-2 family, produces a 512-bit hash value. It's a more secure and larger variant of SHA-256.

Example

SELECT HASHBYTES('SHA2_512', 'Hello, World!') AS [SHA2_512 HashValue];

A variety of hash algorithms are available in SQL Server, and each one creates distinct hash values from input strings. Although SHA-1 and MD5 were once widely used, their flaws now warn against using them. As a safe substitute, the SHA-2 family, which includes SHA2_256 and SHA2_512, is used instead.

Selecting an algorithm that strikes a balance between security requirements and performance is crucial. Database professionals can strengthen security protocols and data integrity in SQL Server configurations by understanding these hashing subtleties.

HostForLIFE.eu SQL Server 2022 Hosting
HostForLIFE.eu is European Windows Hosting Provider which focuses on Windows Platform only. We deliver on-demand hosting solutions including Shared hosting, Reseller Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Servers, and IT as a Service for companies of all sizes.

 



HostForLIFE.eu Proudly Announces Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Hosting

clock April 7, 2014 11:09 by author Peter
HostForLIFE.eu was established to cater to an under served market in the hosting industry; web hosting for customers who want excellent service. HostForLIFE.eu a worldwide provider of hosting has announced the latest release of Microsoft's widely-used SQL relational database management system SQL Server Server 2014. You can take advantage of the powerful SQL Server Server 2014 technology in all Windows Shared Hosting, Windows Reseller Hosting and Windows Cloud Hosting Packages! In addition, SQL Server 2014 Hosting provides customers to build mission-critical applications and Big Data solutions using high-performance, in-memory technology across OLTP, data warehousing, business intelligence and analytics workloads without having to buy expensive add-ons or high-end appliances. 

SQL Server 2014 accelerates reliable, mission critical applications with a new in-memory OLTP engine that can deliver on average 10x, and up to 30x transactional performance gains. For Data Warehousing, the new updatable in-memory column store can query 100x faster than legacy solutions. The first new option is Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Hosting, which is available to customers from today. With the public release just last week of Microsoft’s latest version of their premier database product, HostForLIFE has been quick to respond with updated their shared server configurations.For more information about this new product, please visit http://hostforlife.eu/European-SQL-Server-2014-Hosting

About Us:
HostForLIFE.eu is awarded Top No#1 SPOTLIGHT Recommended Hosting Partner by Microsoft (see http://www.microsoft.com/web/hosting/HostingProvider/Details/953). Our service is ranked the highest top #1 spot in several European countries, such as: Germany, Italy, Netherlands, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and other European countries. Besides this award, we have also won several awards from reputable organizations in the hosting industry and the detail can be found on our official website.


Free Italy SQL Server 2012 Hosting - HostForLIFE.eu :: Encrypting SQL Server Connections

clock March 20, 2014 07:44 by author Peter

If you use SQL Server 2012 in the cloud you may not always have a secure connection. Thankfully there is support in several areas within SQL Server to help secure connections. Let’s take a look at a couple.

SQL Server Management Studio
1. In SSMS, go to Object Explorer
2. Click the Connect drop-down, and select Database Engine
3. Enter the Server name and login credentials (don’t click Connect yet!)
4. Click on the ‘Options >>’ button
5. On the ‘Connection Properties’ tabe, check the box for ‘Encrypt Connection’

6. If you have an untrusted certificate on your server (see below), click on the ‘Additional Connection Parameters’ tab. Enter ‘TrustServerCertificate=True’.

7. Click the ‘Connect’ button.

PowerPivot
1. Open Excel
2. Click on the PowerPivot tab
3. Click on the Manage button
4. Select the drop down under ‘From Database’
5. Select ‘From SQL Server’
6. Enter the Server name, login credentials, and Database name
7. Click the ‘Advanced’ button

8. Scroll down to the bottom and set the following:

Trust Server Certificate = True (see certificates below)

Use Encryption for Data = True

9. Click Ok

10. Select the data sources (tables)

Certificates

Digital certificates can come from various sources. There are several ‘trusted’ 3rd party sources such as Thawte and VeriSign that are called Certificate Authorities (CA). To get a certificate from a trusted source you will most likely need to pay an annual fee. If you have a trusted certificate, you shouldn’t have to tell SQL Server that you want to trust the certificate.On the other hand, if you don’t have a trusted certificate, you should already have a self signed certificate that Windows created.

To see a list of certificates installed on your computer, do the following:

1. click on Start, Run, MMC
2. File, Add/Remove Snap-in…
3. Certificates, Add
4. Select Computer Account, Next
5. Local Computer, Finish
6. Ok
7. Expand Certificates, Personal, and click on CertificatesThis shows a list of certificates currently installed. From here you can import and export certificates by right clicking and going under the ‘All Tasks’ menu.

Securing connections in SQL Server is a great way to keep your data private over unsecure lines. SQL Server uses certificates to establish secure connections. Be sure to use these techniques to create secure connections from SSMS or PowerPivot when venturing out into the open cloud.



About HostForLIFE.eu

HostForLIFE.eu is European Windows Hosting Provider which focuses on Windows Platform only. We deliver on-demand hosting solutions including Shared hosting, Reseller Hosting, Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Servers, and IT as a Service for companies of all sizes.

We have offered the latest Windows 2016 Hosting, ASP.NET Core 2.2.1 Hosting, ASP.NET MVC 6 Hosting and SQL 2017 Hosting.


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