Don’t you use a SHA-2 certificate yet? You should start as soon as possible! As an internet user – as well as a webmaster – it’s always worthwhile to stay up to date with current trends in online security and the latest cryptographic protocols, because they enable you to better protect your data and applications from modern cyber attacks.

SHA – What is the Secure Hash Algorithm?

SHA is a family of cryptographic hash functions. Among them are the protocols SHA-0, SHA-1, SHA-2, and SHA-3. They were designed and published by the NSA. Certificate authorities use hash functions when signing SSL certificates and Certificate Revocation Lists. The concept was intended to generate unique hash values from files. In the case of SSL, SHA is used to reduce the digital key to a reasonable size, while ensuring that the encrypted content remains as secure as possible. The cryptographic solution offered by SHA is continuously verified by experts who ensure that it remains advanced enough to keep pace with the computing power of modern computers. Thanks to this, its users and IT systems relying on SHA technology can remain free of vulnerabilities that could be exploited by third parties. For this very reason, SHA is constantly being improved and new versions are introduced.

Why the Rush to Switch to SHA-2?

The year 2011 marked the beginning of the decline of SHA-1. This occurred due to the emergence of SSL certificates and the establishment of their minimum requirements by the issuers. Among these requirements was also the recommendation to replace the previous SHA-1 encryption with the more modern SHA-2. Based on the flaws discovered in the SHA-1 protocol, below you will find the reasons why transitioning to the new SHA version is highly advisable.

Security Threat

Since its introduction, SHA-1 was the popular choice for signing SSL certificates issued by the relevant authorities. In recent years, the increasing number of sophisticated cryptographic attacks on SHA-1 has led experts to doubt the current security of this solution. They agree that, considering the protection of online users, this protocol requires an update. In light of the latest analyses of attacks on SHA-1, the protocol has become an easy target for further security breaches. Although a completely successful attack on SHA-1 has not yet been recorded, the continuous increase in computer processing power leads experts to claim that it won’t be long before such an attack becomes fully feasible. SHA-2 is currently a technology completely resistant to threats from hackers, which is why experts recommend switching to the new SHA-2. SSL certificates updated with this technology guarantee a higher level of security for the website, its users, and the information exchanged within it.

Switching to SHA-2

How do you switch to SHA-2? The first step is to check which cryptographic technology your current SSL certificate uses. If it is already SHA-2, that’s great; but if it still operates on SHA-1, an update is recommended. The update is very simple. Just select a new certificate that operates on the newer technology (SHA-2) and implement it on your website.