[Python-Dev] hashlib - faster md5/sha, adds sha256/512 support (original) (raw)

Ronald L. Rivest rivest at mit.edu
Fri Dec 16 16:25:02 CET 2005

Hi --

I'm curious as to the status of upgrading cryptographic hash function support in Python, now that md5 and sha1 are both clearly broken (in terms of collision-resistance).

The consensus of researchers in this area (at least as expressed at the NIST Hash Function Workshop 10/31/05), is that SHA-256 is a good choice for the time being, but that research should continue, and other alternatives may arise from this research. The larger SHA's also seem OK, but I think will have less demand...

I'd like to see sha-256 supported in Python. Has this already happened (and I didn't notice) and/or will it be happening soon?

Thanks!

     Cheers,
     Ron Rivest

P.S. Please cc your reply to me at rivest at mit.edu as well Thanks!

Ronald L. Rivest Room 32-G692, Stata Center, MIT, Cambridge MA 02139 Tel 617-253-5880, Email <rivest at mit.edu>

More information about the Python-Dev mailing list