MD4 generator

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Create an MD4 hash online instantly from text or files. This MD4 generator outputs a 128-bit digest represented as a 32-character hexadecimal string. Although MD4 is considered obsolete and insecure, it is still used in legacy systems, compatibility testing, and certain protocols like NTLM authentication. Typical long-tail searches include generate MD4 hash online, MD4 checksum calculator, and convert text to MD4.

What is MD4?

MD4 (Message Digest Algorithm 4) was designed by Ronald Rivest in 1990. It is a fast, lightweight, one-way hashing function that outputs a fixed 128-bit value. While groundbreaking at the time, MD4 has serious cryptographic weaknesses—collisions can be generated easily, making it unsuitable for modern security. Still, it appears in older software, operating system internals, and password hashing schemes (notably in legacy Windows NTLM).

How to use the MD4 Generator

Input text or upload a file you want to hash.
Click Generate to calculate the MD4 hash value.
Copy the result and use it for verification, legacy integrations, or testing purposes.

Common use cases

Legacy authentication: MD4 is part of NTLM (Windows challenge-response) in older systems.
File checksums: Generate MD4 checksums to compare with legacy archives or hash databases.
Compatibility testing: Developers may need to reproduce MD4 digests for regression tests or when interfacing with older APIs.
Research & education: Demonstrate weaknesses of early hash algorithms compared to modern options like SHA-256.

Who uses this tool?

System administrators maintaining legacy Windows networks.
Developers debugging or reverse-engineering protocols that rely on MD4.
Security researchers studying cryptographic history and vulnerabilities.
IT teams checking MD4 hashes of files in outdated archives or backups.

Limitations & warnings

Not secure: MD4 is broken and must not be used for passwords, signatures, or cryptography.
Collisions possible: Two different inputs can generate the same MD4 hash.
Modern replacements: Use SHA-256 or stronger algorithms for integrity and authentication.

Examples

MD4 of a string

Input: "hello" Output: aa010fbc1d14c795d86ef98c95479d17

MD4 of a file (command-line reference)

# Linux (using openssl) openssl dgst -md4 file.txt
Windows (if OpenSSL installed)

openssl.exe dgst -md4 file.txt

FAQ

Can MD4 be decrypted?

No. Like other hashes, MD4 is one-way. “Decryption” sites rely on rainbow tables and precomputed values.

Why use MD4 if it’s insecure?

Some legacy systems (e.g., NTLMv1 authentication, old APIs) require MD4 digests for compatibility. This tool helps when modern alternatives aren’t supported.

What is the difference between MD4 and MD5?

MD5 is a successor to MD4, offering slightly stronger resistance (though also broken). Both output 128-bit digests but use different internal structures.