SHA-1 produces an output of which size?

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SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1) is a cryptographic hash function that generates a fixed-size output of 160 bits. This characteristic makes it useful for ensuring data integrity and authenticity in various applications, such as digital signatures and certificate generation. When data is processed through SHA-1, regardless of the input size, the resulting hash value will always be 160 bits long.

The choice of 160 bits was made to provide a reasonable level of security against attempts to find collisions (two different inputs that produce the same hash output), although it's important to note that SHA-1 is now considered somewhat weak against collision attacks due to advancements in computing power and techniques. This vulnerability has led to the recommendation of stronger hashing algorithms like SHA-256 or SHA-3 for security applications.

The other options suggest incorrect hash output sizes for SHA-1, as it specifically outputs 160 bits.

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