To verify the integrity of downloaded files, a software developer should post hashes on the website. A hash is a fixed-length string or number generated from input data, such as a file. When users download the application files, they can generate their own hash from the downloaded files and compare it with the hash provided by the developer. If the hashes match, it confirms that the files have not been altered or corrupted during the download process.
Hashes: Ensure data integrity by allowing users to verify that the downloaded files are identical to the original ones. Common hashing algorithms include MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256.
Certificates and Algorithms: Are more related to ensuring authenticity and securing communications rather than verifying file integrity.
Salting: Is a technique used in hashing passwords to add an additional layer of security, not for verifying file integrity.