SHA-256 is a cryptographic algorithm used by cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. However, it uses a lot of computing power and processing time forcing moners to form mining pools to capture gains.

SHA-256 is utilized in the absolute most mainstream confirmation and encryption protocols, including SSL, TLS, IPsec, SSH, and PGP. In Unix and Linux, SHA-256 is utilized for secure secret word hashing . Cryptocurrencies, for example, Bitcoin use SHA-256 for confirming exchanges.

SHA-256 is a new type of cryptographic hash function created by the NSA. It was originally called SHA-3, but the name was changed because it would duplicate with another algorithm that had already been named SHA-3. The original SHA-3 algorithm has never been publicly revealed, but it’s suspected that it may have been an experimental algorithm designed for quantum computers.