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Google security researchers have cracked a key internet security tool, and hope their finding will eventually lead to the use of more secure encryption methods. What is the algorithm that the team succeeded in breaking?
What is SHA-1, or Secure Hash Algorithm 1
More Context: This algorithm may be used to encrypt things like electronic documents (including legal documents), payment transactions, emails and email attachments. The algorithm dates back to the 90s and is "extremely widely used" (Git is a major entity that uses the algorithm.) Google plans to release the code they used to break the SHA-1 forcing companies to use safer cryptographic hashes.