What is the main purpose of hashing in encryption?

The main purpose of hashing in encryption is to verify data integrity. Hashing takes input data and produces a fixed-size string of characters, which is typically a hash value, unique to the original input. This process allows you to create a 'digital fingerprint' of the original data. When the data is later accessed, it can be hashed again, and the resulting hash can be compared to the original hash value to confirm that the data has not been altered or corrupted in any way.

This is crucial in various contexts, including verifying downloaded files or confirming that data has not been tampered with in transit. Hashing does not provide confidentiality since it does not obscure the content of the data, nor does it support the encryption process itself, as encryption requires keys and algorithms designed for that purpose. Instead, hashing focuses solely on confirming that the exact data remains unchanged, fulfilling its role in ensuring data integrity.