MD5 (Message Digest 5) is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit fingerprint of a file. It is commonly employed to verify the integrity of files during transmission or storage, ensuring that the data has not been altered or corrupted.
Checking a file’s MD5 involves calculating the hash value and comparing it to a known value, typically provided by the file’s creator or a trusted source. Any discrepancies between the two values indicate that the file may have been compromised or modified.