Clear DefinitionsHMAC
Pronunciation
[eych-mak]
Analogy
HMAC is like a cryptographically strong 'wax seal' for digital messages, created using a secret key and a hash function, proving the message is genuine and untouched.
Definition
Abbreviation for Hash-based Message Authentication Code. A MAC that uses a cryptographic hash function and a secret key.
Key Points Intro
HMAC is a common shorthand for Hash-based Message Authentication Code.
Key Points
Provides stronger security guarantees than some simpler MAC constructions.
Widely used in many security protocols.
See 'Hash-based Message Authentication Code' for a full definition.
Example
Many web services use HMACs to secure their API endpoints, verifying that incoming requests are legitimate.
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