SumChecker

SumChecker is a small software utility that helps to quickly calculate, check and compare file hashes. It offers support for MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2, SHA-256 and SHA-512.

MD5, also known as Message-Digest Algorithm, is a widely used cryptographic hash function producing a 128-bit value, which is expressed in text format as a 32 digit hexadecimal number.

SHA-1, Secure Hash Algorithm 1, was designed by the National Security Agency as an update to MD5, which eventually proved to not be secure enough to be used alone. It produces a 160-bit value and has a 40-digit long text format.

SHA-2, Secure Hash Algorithm 2, can compare a computed hash to a known one, determining the data's integrity. The SHA-2 family consists of many functions, but the ones the program uses are 256 (SHA-256) and 512 (SHA-512). They have a 32-bit and 64-bit long text format, respectively.

The application offers two main tabs you can use, and a “File” menu where you can save your generated codes to a file.

In the "Generate" tab you can indicate a file and select the preferred hash types to calculate the unique values. These codes are instantly displayed in the window, and they can be selected and copied. Alternatively, you can save all information to file by simply specifying the destination.

A new text document is created for each selected hash type, which is mentioned in the file's name. Unfortunately, the program doesn't offer a function for calculating the checksums of multiple files simultaneously. However, if you process more files (one at a time), the application updates the existing text documents with the new hashes. Next to each signature, you can find out the name and format of the processed files.

The “Compare” tab lets you check the integrity of your encrypted files. This can be done by indicating a new file whose hash you want to be automatically calculated by SumChecker, as well as by pasting an existing checksum. The tool compares the two alphanumerical values and lets you know whether they're identical ("OK" message) or different ("Failed" message).

To sum it up, SumChecker is an easy-to-use tool to secure and check your files using MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2, SHA-256 and SHA-512 checksums. For those who try this type of program for the first time it requires some documentation before use.