The process of comparing MD5 values (hashes) after downloading software is primarily used to validate that the software source is legitimate and the file has not been altered or corrupted during download. MD5 is a widely used cryptographic hash function that produces a 128-bit hash value. By comparing the MD5 hash provided by the software distributor with the hash of the downloaded file, you can verify that the file is exactly what the distributor intended to deliver, without any modifications, whether malicious or accidental.
References: This verification method is discussed in CompTIA IT Fundamentals study materials as a part of understanding security measures to ensure data integrity and protection against tampering.