Certhash-Blockchain Based Certificate Verification System

Abstract

Academic certificate forgery has become a major global issue that threatens the credibility and trustworthiness of educational institutions. To address this challenge, this paper proposes CertHash, a web-based system designed to ensure the integrity and authenticity of academic records through a hybrid security approach. The proposed system combines SHA-256 cryptographic hashing, QR code technology, and a custom blockchain implementation to provide a secure and reliable certificate verification mechanism. By integrating these technologies, the system offers an affordable, tamper-proof, and instantly verifiable solution for academic certificate management. Unlike existing public blockchain-based solutions, CertHash introduces a free and localized ledger system that is specifically suitable for individual institutions, thereby reducing operational costs and improving accessibility. This approach enhances trust, prevents certificate forgery, and enables institutions to maintain secure and transparent academic records.