In this lab you will explore the best and worst Use of a popular message digest algorithm. For this one we shall focus on MD5, but all of this can be applied to the other ones, such as SHA-1.

In the "Best Use" portion, you will discover and outline a specific implementation of the MD5 algorithm, where it provides high value and a very low security risk.

In contrast, in the "Worst Use" portion you will attempt to crack an MD5 hash (this is ethical hacking) and suggest a scenario where the "Worst Use" practice may actually be implemented.

The reason for this lab is to give you an understanding of how cryptography can be properly and improperly used, and how changes in technology may serve to weaken trusted cryptographic applications.