Set up Hash Algorithm for the Collector

Set up Hash Algorithm for the Collector

Overview

Hashing helps ensure the security and integrity of your survey by preventing unauthorized access and enhancing data confidentiality. They protect your surveys by encrypting survey links with unique codes. They add an extra layer of security, making it difficult for anyone to tamper with or forge the survey links, making your surveys secure and reliable.

Availability:

Hash URL feature is accessible to all paid plan users.
Safeguarding Survey Data with Hash URLs!

Use Cases

Education/Recruitment : In educational institutions or job recruitment processes, tests and online interviews are conducted to assess candidates' knowledge and skills. It ensures that only the invited candidates can access the assessment materials or interview questions, reducing the risk of cheating or unauthorized access. It helps maintain fairness and reliability in the evaluation process.
Banks: By implementing hash URLs in surveys, banks can protect the confidentiality of customer data. Only customers with the right hash value (secret code) can access and provide feedback, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure.
Healthcare: By using hash URLs in surveys, healthcare providers can maintain the privacy and security of patient responses. Only patients with the right hash value can access the survey, ensuring that their personal health information remains confidential.
Airlines: By incorporating hash URLs into surveys, airlines can ensure that only their actual passengers can provide feedback. This prevents unauthorized individuals from accessing the survey and submitting false or misleading responses.

How to add Hash Algorithm

To set up Hash URL for your survey: 
  1. Click the Setup icon in the user info widget.
  2. Under the Portal Setup section, click the Hash Algorithm tab. You will be redirected to the Create Algorithm dialog box. Only portal admins will be able to access this.
  3. Enter the Hash name, choose the algorithm type (SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) based on your requirement.
  4. Enter the password under the Secret Key tab.
  5. Click Save to create the Hash algorithm. You can add unlimited Hash algorithms for your survey portal account.
Notes
Note :
NotesZoho Survey generates hashed data output only in the hexadecimal format.
SHA-1, SHA-256, and SHA-512 are hash algorithms that produce fixed-size hash values (160-bit, 256-bit, and 512-bit respectively) used for various security applications.
Notes
If a survey URL contains "+" in it, then "+" should be replaced with"%2B".
For example, consider a hash URL has to generated for "/zs/onCiMQ?name=catherine+1@zylker.com". However, the URL that should be shared with the end user with the hash value should be: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/onCiMQname=catherine%2B1@zylker.com&hash=84be407f6cbd0cf5cf026d8058e2a721855007577003426b8ab80ad7c80a36cc0dcac4390b6c613860723bde1d5694190e483f967417787c46a868b966e43c86
 
To edit the Hash Algorithms:
  1. Click the Setup icon in the user info widget.
  2. Under the Portal Setup section, click the Hash Algorithm tab.
  3. Hover above the respective Hash and click the Edit icon (pencil icon) to modify the Hash algorithm.
    You can modify the Hash name and secret key, choose the algorithm type (SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) based on your requirement.
  4. Click Save.
To delete the Hash Algorithms:
  1. Click the Setup icon in the user info widget.
  2. Under the Portal Setup section, click the Hash Algorithm button.
  3. Hover above the respective Hash and click on the edit icon (pencil icon) to modify the Hash algorithm.
    You can modify the Hash name and secret key, choose the algorithm type (SHA-1, SHA-256, SHA-512) based on your requirement.
  4. Click Yes to delete it.
Enable hash URLS for your survey(Invites by Other Services)
Notes
Note: Hash URLs can be enabled only for Invites by Other Services collectors.
  1. Go to the Publish tab.
  2. Click Add New Collector.
  3. Under Invites by Other Services, click Create.
  4. Click Continue.
  5. Select a distribution service for your survey. Below is the list of distribution services supported by Zoho Survey.
            
  1. In the Hashing(Prevent tampering) section, click Configure.
            
  1. Select Hash Algorithms from those created in Portal setup.
             
  1. Enter the Parameter value to be hashed.
  2. Click Create Collector.