A one-way hash converts a string of random length into what type of encrypted string?

A one-way hash function takes an input string of arbitrary length and processes it to produce a hash value of a fixed length, regardless of the size of the input data. This is a fundamental characteristic of cryptographic hash functions, which are designed to create a scrambled output that is unique to each unique input but always maintains the same length for a given algorithm.

For instance, common hash functions like SHA-256 always output a 256-bit hash, regardless of whether the input is a short word or an extensive document. This fixed-length output provides several benefits, including consistent storage size and predictable performance during comparisons and calculations in various security contexts.

In contrast, other options suggest variable lengths or specific bit sizes that don’t apply universally across all hash functions. The emphasis on fixed length is crucial in the context of digital signatures, integrity verification, or password hashing, where consistent and predictable outputs are essential for security measures. Thus, the characteristic of producing a fixed length output from varying input lengths is why the correct choice is fixed length.