fixityverifiering

Fixityverifiering is a process used in digital preservation and data management to ensure the integrity and authenticity of digital files over time. It involves creating a cryptographic hash, a unique digital fingerprint, of a file at a specific point in time. This hash is then stored separately from the original file. Later, the fixityverifiering process can be repeated on the same file. If the newly generated hash matches the previously stored hash, it indicates that the file has not been altered, corrupted, or lost since the original hash was created. If the hashes do not match, it signals that a change has occurred, prompting investigation and potential recovery efforts.

This method is crucial for detecting accidental modifications, data degradation, or malicious tampering. Organizations and individuals use fixityverifiering for a variety of purposes, including archiving digital records, ensuring the reliability of scientific data, and securing important documents. Common hashing algorithms used for fixityverifiering include MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256, with SHA-256 being generally preferred due to its increased security. The regular execution of fixityverifiering is a fundamental practice for maintaining trustworthy digital collections.