CNET Editors' review
Cryptographic hash functions are commonly used to guard against malicious changes to protected data in a wide variety of software, Internet, and security applications, including digital signatures and other forms of authentication. Two of the most common cryptographic hash functions are the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) and Message Digest Algorithm-5 (MD5). Checksum utilities are used to verify the integrity of generated hashes. There are two basic types, those that calculate checksum values and those that also validate them by checking them against a list of values for the protected data, which is the only way it can be done. Raymond Lin's MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility is a standalone freeware tool that generates and verifies cryptographic hashes in MD5 and SHA-1.
The program has a basic, utterly functional interface that should pose no trouble for anyone with the knowledge and skill to actually need it. To generate or verify a hash, you simply browse to the file of choice, select either MD5 or SHA-1, and click either Copy to generate the hash or Verify to check its integrity. A Paste function automatically enters the generated hash for verification at the click of a button.
MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility is free to download and use, though Ray accepts donations from satisfied users. At a mere 57k, his checksum tool is about as small as a useful, functioning utility can be in this age of bloatware, and even more so considering that it's certified to work in Windows Vista and 7.
Publisher's Description
From Raymond's Personal Software:
MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility is a standalone freeware that can generate a MD5 & SHA-1 hash from a file. In addition, you can verify the hash to ensure the file integrity is correct with the matching file.
What's new in this version: Version 1.1 includes a new and simple interface, support drag and drop of file, and shares hashes easily via Copy All button.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 14 votes
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Current version:
4.4 starsout of 11 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Excellent free software"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
nothing so far, plus it's free
Cons
lack of a good and clear manual or help file is annoying
Summary
I beg for a manual to explain and show the functions and buttons, PLEASE. Thank you
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"Simple to use, but could use a start button"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
It's small, it's self contained, it's pretty much fool proof. Doesn't require installation -- just run it.
Cons
Seems a little sluggish, maybe because it does both MD5 and SHA-1 at the same time. Starts calculating as soon as you pick a file, even before it redraws its window.
Summary
It does what is says it does, so I can't fault it there. It seems slow but it could be because it is doing both MD5 and SHA-1 at the same time. There is no control to choose which hash(es) you want generated. You browse for the file to convert and click 'open" and before the program can even repaint its window, the calculation starts so the window ends up in this quasi-drawn state which looks like the program has crashed. It was only the steady HDD light that suggested that the thing was chewing away at my 1GB .iso image file.
Along with my kudos for an almost foolproof program, I might suggest the following to the developer:
1) the ability to turn on/off the computation of each hash. Maybe a check box for each one to enable/disable it.
2) when you come out of the Browse for file, paint the window before starting the computation. A little status indicator (% done or something) to let us know that the thing is working would go a long way too.
3) Maybe a start button so you can control the hash generation
4) Maybe a way to select multiple files so you can batch up an entire folder's worth of .isos for hashing.
thanks! -
"the software is good"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
nice application
Cons
but this download is not... i was expecting a 52KB file but this is
443KB...Summary
virustotal's result:
ByteHero 1.0.0.1 2011.09.13 Trojan.Backdoor.Gen.a
Jiangmin 13.0.900 2011.09.19 Trojan/JmGeneric.bmo
NOD32 6477 2011.09.19 a variant of Win32/InstallCore.C
PCTools 8.0.0.5 2011.09.19 Application.ChitChat
Rising 23.76.00.03 2011.09.19 Suspicious -
"Excellent tool"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
Fast and easy to use
Cons
No cons to mention
Summary
Easy to use, performs checksums and compares easily. Great tool. Thanks
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"Small, Free and Does the Job!"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
This is all I could ask for in a checksum utility.
Cons
None at all.
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"Good utility to check both MD5 and SHA-1 checksums"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
Does what is advertised; checks and generates checksums in formats MD5 and SHA-1.
Cons
No obvious cons.
Summary
Great tool to add to your utility suite.
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"Great free utility"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
Easy to use and fast
free
supports 64bit and windows7
no installCons
none that i can think of atm
Summary
Great for insuring download integrity (especially with .iso's)
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"Basic Workhorse with 64 Bit Support"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
--64-bit Windows 7 support
--Does the job, albeit with many steps
--No need to install
--FreeCons
--No shell extension or context menu support
--Multi-step, P.I.T.A. usage. Drag and drop file, click hash type, click paste button, drag and drop second file, click verify.
--Only 2 hash types supported.Summary
Seen others that do comparisons automatically for you, but no 64 bit versions yet.
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"Its a great product.. its FREE too!"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
I download a lot of Linux OS's just to piddle with, and this has always done right by me. I highly recommend it to anyone unsure of their downloads.
Cons
none that comes to mind
Summary
easy to use, quick and professional !
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"Fast and Quick"
Version: MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility 1.1
Pros
No need to install, can copy and past hash's
Cons
Only one file at a time
Summary
Highly recommended for checking hash's
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