HMAC-SHA256, HMAC-SHA256 message authentication code
Technical Specifications
- MAC Length:
- 256 bit (64 hex characters) - SHA-256 output length
- Security Level:
- High - SHA-256 based
- Key Requirement:
- Secret key required (variable key length)
- Recommended Key Length:
- At least 256 bit (SHA-256 block size)
Usage Areas
- API authentication and authorization
- JWT (JSON Web Token) signing
- Data integrity verification
- OAuth 2.0 and similar protocols
- TLS/SSL handshake
- Webhook verification
Features
- Requires secret key: Uses secret key for authentication
- SHA-256 based: Reliable and widely used hash function
- Message integrity: Detects data changes
- Authentication: Verifies message source
- RFC standard: Widely accepted standard
Standards and References
- RFC 2104 (HMAC: Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication)
- FIPS PUB 198-1 (The Keyed-Hash Message Authentication Code)
- ISO/IEC 9797-2