Data Hashing
Pyze allows you to mask sensitive data before it is collected and sent to Pyze servers. This is useful when you need to track certain data points for analytics purposes but want to protect the actual values for privacy or compliance reasons.
Overview
When data hashing is enabled, the Pyze JavaScript agent will apply a hashing function to specified data fields before transmission. This ensures that:
- The original data values are never sent to Pyze servers
- You can still perform analytics on the hashed values (e.g., counting unique values, tracking patterns)
- Sensitive information like emails, user IDs, or other PII can be anonymized
How It Works
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Identify the data to mask: Determine which data fields you want to hash (e.g., email addresses, user identifiers, phone numbers)
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Choose a hashing function: Select a hashing algorithm that meets your requirements. Common options include:
- SHA-256 (recommended for most use cases)
- SHA-1
- MD5 (not recommended for security-sensitive applications)
-
Contact Pyze: Inform Pyze support about:
- Which data fields should be hashed
- The hashing function you want to use
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Configuration: Pyze will configure your JavaScript agent to automatically apply the specified hashing function to the designated data fields.
Supported Hashing Algorithms
| Algorithm | Description |
|---|---|
| SHA-256 | Recommended. Produces a 256-bit hash value. Secure and widely supported. |
| SHA-1 | Produces a 160-bit hash value. Suitable for non-security-critical hashing. |
| MD5 | Produces a 128-bit hash value. Fast but not recommended for security purposes. |
Use Cases
Masking Email Addresses
If you track user emails for analytics but want to protect the actual email addresses:
- Original:
user@example.com - Hashed (SHA-256):
b4c9a289323b21a01c3e940f150eb9b8c542587f1abfd8f0e1cc1ffc5e475514
Anonymizing User Identifiers
For tracking unique users without storing their actual identifiers:
- Original:
USER_12345 - Hashed: A consistent hash value that allows counting unique users
Request Data Hashing
To enable data hashing for your Pyze account:
- Identify the specific data fields you want to mask
- Choose your preferred hashing algorithm
- Contact Pyze support at support@pyze.com with your request
- Provide your Pyze App Key and the details of fields to hash
Pyze will configure your agent and confirm when the hashing is active.