MD5sum

http://theopencd.sunsite.dk/md5.php

A string of letters and numbers that verify file integrity, also known as hashes. They look like this: d58afcae1eb5c1d36a11bc82c432a8be
The program that creates the above-mentioned string.

Part of the Free Software Foundation‘s utilities (http://www.gnu.org/software/textutils/textutils.html). Uses the MD5 hashing algorithm that is not as secure as SHA-1 but considered secure for most purposes and more secure than CRC32. It is advised to use multiple hashing algorithms such as MD5sum + SHA-1 + RMD160. For more information about MD5, consult the MD5 entry.

Uses:

OpenOffice uses MD5sums in order to allow individuals to download program files from places (such as via BitTorrent/Links) but to be sure that the downloaded file is not infected with a virus or incomplete. MD5sums (http://download.openoffice.org/1.1.1/md5sums.html) and instructions (http://www.openoffice.org/dev-docs/using-md5sums.html) on their use.

This program is very common for UNIX users to verify qualified downloads for critical applications.

Individuals who download Shorten (http://www.etree.org/md5com.html) (.SHN) files often use MD5sum.

Determine or Check MD5sum in Windows

md5summer (http://www.md5summer.org/about.html) Nice GUI MD5sum calculator

MD5sum (http://www.openoffice.org/dev-docs/using-md5sums.html) – simple, one-file version. In Windows 2000/XP, you may need to type “cmd” in the Run menu instead of “command” to handle longer file names.

Hasher (http://www.karenware.com/powertools/pthasher.asp) – a free, open-source program, easier for users not comfortable with the command-line.

AccuHash 2.0 (http://www.accuhash.com) – a free in feature-limited mode, shareware program, support several checksum files formats and hash algorithms

FastSum (http://www.fastsum.com) – free, simple and powerful command line tool for Windows

md5sum (http://www.md5sum.org) – useful documentation and reviews

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