Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Glossary

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MAC

1 min read
Pronunciation
[mak]
Analogy
Think of a MAC as a secret 'handshake' attached to a message, which only someone knowing the shared secret can generate and verify.
Definition
Abbreviation for Message Authentication Code. A tag generated using a secret key to verify the integrity and authenticity of a message.
Key Points Intro
MAC is a common shorthand for Message Authentication Code.
Key Points

Ensures message hasn't been altered (integrity).

Confirms the message came from a trusted source sharing the secret key (authenticity).

See 'Message Authentication Code' for a full definition.

Example
Secure network protocols often append a MAC to data packets to ensure they haven't been corrupted or maliciously modified during transmission.
Related Terms
Message Authentication Code
HMAC
Data Integrity

MAC - Related Articles

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