SHA-256

SHA-256 is a hash standard (derived from SHA-2 Secure Hash Algorithm), a standard of the United States federal government which allows any binary data to correspond to a fingerprint of 64 hexadecimal characters which characterizes it in an almost unique way.

SHA256 encryption computes a 256-bit or 32-byte digital fingerprint, whose hexadecimal writing consists of 64 characters. The algorithm uses non-linear functions such as:

$$ \operatorname{Ch}(E,F,G) = (E \wedge F) \oplus (\neg E \wedge G) $$

$$ \operatorname{Ma}(A,B,C) = (A \wedge B) \oplus (A \wedge C) \oplus (B \wedge C) $$

$$ \Sigma_0(A) = (A\!\ggg\!2) \oplus (A\!\ggg\!13) \oplus (A\!\ggg\!22) $$

$$ \Sigma_1(E) = (E\!\ggg\!6) \oplus (E\!\ggg\!11) \oplus (E\!\ggg\!25) $$

and also 64 constants: 0x428a2f98, 0x71374491, 0xb5c0fbcf, 0xe9b5dba5, 0x3956c25b, 0x59f111f1, 0x923f82a4, 0xab1c5ed5, 0xd807aa98, 0x12835b01, 0x243185be, 0x550c7dc3, 0x72be5d74, 0x80deb1fe, 0x9bdc06a7, 0xc19bf174, 0xe49b69c1, 0xefbe4786, 0x0fc19dc6, 0x240ca1cc, 0x2de92c6f, 0x4a7484aa, 0x5cb0a9dc, 0x76f988da, 0x983e5152, 0xa831c66d, 0xb00327c8, 0xbf597fc7, 0xc6e00bf3, 0xd5a79147, 0x06ca6351, 0x14292967, 0x27b70a85, 0x2e1b2138, 0x4d2c6dfc, 0x53380d13, 0x650a7354, 0x766a0abb, 0x81c2c92e, 0x92722c85, 0xa2bfe8a1, 0xa81a664b, 0xc24b8b70, 0xc76c51a3, 0xd192e819, 0xd6990624, 0xf40e3585, 0x106aa070, 0x19a4c116, 0x1e376c08, 0x2748774c, 0x34b0bcb5, 0x391c0cb3, 0x4ed8aa4a, 0x5b9cca4f, 0x682e6ff3, 0x748f82ee, 0x78a5636f, 0x84c87814, 0x8cc70208, 0x90befffa, 0xa4506ceb, 0xbef9a3f7, 0xc67178f2

The purpose of these functions is to maximize the footprint differences, even for small input string differences.

Since SHA256 is a hash based on non-linear functions, there is no decryption method.

dCode uses word databases whose hash has already been calculated (several million potential passwords) and checks if the hash is known. If it is not known or combined with salting the decryption will probably fail.

The bits/characters composing a hash are not predictable. It is also a property used in the concept of proof of work (PoW) used by the blockchain. The only method to date being to test combinations by brute force, until finding a particular case that works.

The hash is composed of 64 hexadecimal characters 0123456789abcdef (ie 256 bits)

The SHA256 algorithm is used by blockchain and validation of Bitcoin transactions, any reference is a clue.