Format check

Format check, also known as file integrity checking, is a computer security tool used to check the integrity of a file or files. The purpose of a format check is to compare the size, number of bytes, and other properties of a file with the stored format of the file to ensure that it is not corrupted. Format checks are used in file back-up and archival processes to verify that the files are intact, accurately stored, and ready for future retrieval. They can also be used as a means of authentication for files to ensure that a file has not been tampered with.

A format check can be done manually or with the help of specialized software tools. Manual format checking involves manually comparing the properties of a file against the expected or intended properties. Specialized tools make the process more efficient by automating the comparison process and providing more information about differences between the original file and the revised file.

In addition to checking integrity of files, format checks can also check for various levels of corruption. Higher levels of corruption can often go undetected by ordinary means of reliability measures, making format check an important part of computer security.

Format checks can be used as a part of systems that are preparing files for long-term storage, particularly in archival and back-up processes. It is also important for the security of sensitive documents, since a format check can detect unexpected changes to files that can indicate malicious actors have tampered with the content of the original file. Format checks may also be used for authentication, by requiring specific properties of a file for a process to proceed.