A quick note on the links related where to find the ubuntu releases and how to do a checksum to ensure that the downloaded copy If you are downloading Ubuntu from the official site, MD5/SHA1 checksum (ubuntu hashes) for latest releases may not be listed there. If it is not there, you can visit the site http://releases.ubuntu.com/. This site lists a comprehensive list of ubuntu releases and their checksums. Checksums ensure that the download is complete without corruption and is 100% accurate. So, it is always advisable to do a checksum after each download. (more…)

In order to ensure that the files that are downloaded from a site has been saved in its entirety and to give the added security that no intruders have modified the content of the files, various techniques have been used by source providers like MD5 checksum, SHA1 checksum, PGP verification. To explain how MD5 checksum, SHA1 checksum or PGP verification of the files happen, I will go ahead by explaining the steps by using a copy of openSSL program. (more…)