HASHcipher/DLL
ver 3.0

HASHcipher/ActiveX
ver 2.1

• The MD5 Algorithm is now supported in addition to our NIST-validated SHA-1 Algorithm.
• HASHcipher/DLL now includes a type library for improved performance, type safety, and ease-of-use.
• HASHcipher/DLL now includes "HashFile" functions for one-call hashing of files. 
• HASHcipher/DLL is royalty-free - no run-time distribution charges.
• HASHcipher has been validated for compliance with NIST's FIPS PUB 180-1.
• Hash calculation of mixed data types supported.
• Restrictive "block processing" IS NOT required.
• Results are accessible as a hexadecimal string property, and as an integer array.
• Supports all Windows development environments incl. .NET, C/C++, Visual Basic, FoxPro, Delphi, etc.
• High-performance multithreaded DLL designed for server applications - supports simultaneous processing of multiple data streams.
• The distribution includes:
  • Visual C++ and Visual Basic source-code examples; incl. a complete ASP component, and VB.NET projects.
  • A detailed Developer's Reference Manual

Can I use HASHcipher/DLL to build IIS/ASP/MTS components?

How do I obtain a license for HASHcipher/DLL?

View/download source code examples.

View HASHcipher/DLL functions

• HASHcipher is royalty-free - no run-time distribution charges,
• Uses Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-1) to provide the unequaled security of 160-bit message digests.
• HASHcipher has been validated for compliance with the NIST's FIPS PUB 180-1.
• Supports all Visual Basic data types - including Unicode and standard strings,
• Hash calculation of mixed data types supported.
• Restrictive "block processing" IS NOT required.
• Supports multiple instantiation of the control to process separate data streams simultaneously,
• Simple control interface for ease-of-use.
• Results are accessible as a hexadecimal string property, and as an integer array.
• Compatible with Visual development environments which support COM and ActiveX controls,
• Includes fully-commented Visual Basic source code examples - including a file hashing utility, and a password validation example,
• Internal Fault Event simplifies error trapping and debugging.
• On-line and context-sensitive HELP utility.
• The distribution includes:
  • Visual Basic source-code examples; incl. a file hashing utility & password verification
  • A detailed Developer's Reference Manual

Download Demo Version of HASHcipher/ActiveX
(SHA digest = a4e18284-58d68832-8ee447eb-d87b40de-9fdf870d)

How do I obtain a license for HASHcipher/ActiveX?

View/download source code examples
       (see the Access db example)

View HASHcipher/ActiveX functions

The Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) was developed by the US Government's National Security Agency (NSA) to provide a strong one-way hash algorithm to provide security through authentication. Currently SHA is defined in FIPS PUB 180-1; it is sometimes referred to as SHA-1 to distinguish it from the original version of the algorithm described in FIPS PUB 180. Due to its advanced design and its 160-bit output (digest) SHA is the strongest hash algorithm available today. The SHA is specified for use in the Digital Signature Standard (DSS), and may be used in other public key cryptosystems to improve security of the message digest function.

Version 3 of HASHcipher/DLL also implements the MD5 (Message Digest 5) hash algorithm. MD5 was developed by Ron Rivest in 1991, and the algorithm is described in RFC 1321. MD5 produces a 128-bit output (digest). While not as secure as SHA, there are no known, practical attacks on MD5. Despite being a somewhat weaker algorithm, MD5 is widely used. Its addition enhances the value of HASHcipher/DLL, and enables its support of legacy applications. 

Applications for HASHcipher include communications, banking, software distribution and copy protection, and electronic/Internet commerce; e.g.:

• file or message authentication - "fingerprint" data for subsequent authentication or verification that the data has not been altered.
• key generation - generate secure key material from user-supplied passwords or passphrases.

HASHcipher is available as both a DLL and as an ActiveX control to support all popular Windows® development environments including Visual Basic, VBA (Word, Excel, Access, etc), C, C++, FoxPro, Power Builder and others- including the new .NET environment (HASHcipher/DLL only, version 3.1).