A number or string of text that is calculated from data when data is sent from one place to another. When the data and checksum arrives at its destination, the data is checked to verify the checksum matches the one provided. If it is a match, the data is believed to be error free and not compromised in any way.

Verifying the file checksum helps you make certain the file was not corrupted during download, and that it is not infected with malware or other malicious software. The checksum is usually represented as a long string of alphanumeric characters. For example, an SHA-256 checksum may look like:

c01b39c7a35ccc3b081a3e83d2c71fa9a767ebfeb45c69f08e17dfe3ef375a7b

CRC, Hash, LRC, Md5sum, Parity Check, Security terms

  • How to verify the checksum of an installer file.
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  • All questions relating to computer files and file extensions.