Create Hash Values

These functions apply cryptographic hashes to a value. You can apply hashes to values stored in profile attributes or Related Data.

These functions take a string of any length as input and produce a fixed-length hash value.

Function Overview

​ecx:md5hex​

The function ecx:md5hex hashes a value with the message-digest algorithm 5. The binary output is produced as a hexadecimal string.

Example

You set up a function that hashes the email address. This function protects personal data, which is exported from the system and shared with third parties for data analysis.

The function is constructed as follows:

${ecx:md5hex(user['email'])}

Structure​

ecx:md5hex(string)

Parameters​

​ecx:md5base64​

The function ecx:md5base64 hashes a value with the message-digest algorithm 5. The binary output is produced as a string that is encoded in Base64.

Strings that are encoded in Base64 cannot be used directly in link addresses. Either apply URL encoding to the resulting string or use the function ecx:md5hex instead.​

Example

You set up a function that hashes the email address. This function protects personal data, which is exported from the system and shared with third parties for data analysis.

The function is constructed as follows:

${ecx:md5base64(user['email'])}

Structure​

ecx:md5base64(string)

Parameters​

​ecx:sha256hex​

The function ecx:sha256hex​ hashes a value with the Secure Hash Algorithm SHA-256. The binary output is produced as a hexadecimal string.

Example

You set up a function that hashes the email address. This function protects personal data, which is exported from the system and shared with third parties for data analysis.

The function is constructed as follows:

${ecx:sha256hex(user['email'])}

Structure​

ecx:sha256hex(string)

Parameters​

Use Cases

Encryption of export data

The Calculation profile-based activity type can apply a hash to a recipient's email address and write the encoded value to a target attribute (stored as a Profile Based Activity (Formula)). The encrypted value can be stored in any attribute.

${ecx:md5hex(user['email'])}

Inserting encrypted information in links

Apply a hash directly to a link in a message to transmit data without it being legible to unauthorized parties. Insert the value as a placeholder in the link:

http://www.myshop.com/edit/?user=<%${ecx:md5hex(user['email'])}%>

If personal information is appended to links, you may need to activate tracking of individual links in personalized messages (see Activate Link Tracking for a Group).