Systems Analyst: What is the difference between SHA-256 and MD5?

SHA-256 — secure, modern. MD5 — legacy, vulnerable.

SHA-256:

• 256-bit output.
• Cryptographically secure.
• No known collisions.
• Current standard.

MD5:

• 128-bit output.
• Not secure.
• Collision attacks possible.
• Legacy only.

Key differences:

• SHA-256 — secure.
• MD5 — vulnerable.
• SHA-256 — 256-bit.
• MD5 — 128-bit.
• SHA-256 — use it.
• MD5 — avoid it.