How to Verify Files Using SHA Checksum on Mac

Verifying the integrity of files is a crucial step in ensuring data security and reliability. With the increasing use of digital downloads, verifying file integrity has become more important than ever. In this article, we will explore how to verify files using SHA checksum on Mac.

What are Checksum Files?

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A checksum file is a text document that contains a list of hashes corresponding to each file in the directory. It's used to quickly verify the integrity of multiple files. When you run a command on such a file, your computer will generate and verify hashes for every file listed in the checksum file, provided they actually exist inside the folder from which you ran the command.

How to Verify Hashes Using Checksum Files

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To verify a hash visually, macOS provides command-line-based tools that show hashes for various hashing algorithms. These include SHA1, MD5, and CRC32. However, it's recommended to use more secure algorithms like SHA-256 and SHA3. A hash is generated through an algorithm designed to produce a unique result for any file, producing vastly different results if even the slightest change is made to the file.

To verify hashes using checksum files on Mac:

1. Open Terminal and navigate to the directory containing the files you want to verify.

2. Run the command `sha256sum *` (or your preferred hashing algorithm) followed by a space and the name of the checksum file.

3. The output will display the hash for each file in the directory, along with its corresponding filename.

What are File Hashes or Checksums?

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File hashes, also known as checksums, are strings that represent the digital fingerprint of a file. They are used to quickly verify that the file you received is the file you were expecting, down to the last bit. These strings are unique for each file and will change if even a single bit is altered.

Tips and Tricks

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* You can drag a file onto your Terminal window to quickly get its path.

* SHA1SUMS files may come with downloads. Simply run the command `sha256sum *` followed by the name of the SHA1SUMS file to verify hashes.

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Verifying file integrity using SHA checksum on Mac is a simple and effective way to ensure data security. By following these steps, you can quickly check the integrity of multiple files using checksum files. Remember to use secure algorithms like SHA-256 and SHA3 for maximum reliability.

How to sha checksum mac