File Checksum Monitoring

Last updated: 5 March, 20262 min read

File Checksum Monitoring detects when any online file has been modified by comparing its SHA-256 hash. Unlike text-based monitoring, this works with any file type, including zip archives, images, videos, and binary files. When a change is detected, the original file is stored so you can download and compare versions.

What is SHA-256?

SHA-256 is a cryptographic hash function that produces a unique fingerprint for a file. If even a single byte changes, the hash changes completely, making it reliable for detecting modifications.

How It Works

  1. You provide the URL of the file to monitor
  2. PageCrawl downloads the file and calculates its SHA-256 checksum
  3. On each subsequent check, the checksum is recalculated and compared
  4. If the checksum differs, you receive a notification
  5. The previous version of the file is saved for manual comparison

Setup

  1. Click Track New Page
  2. Paste the direct URL to the file
  3. PageCrawl detects the file and shows checksum monitoring options
  4. Choose your check frequency and notification preferences
  5. Save

Supported File Types

Any file accessible via URL, including: zip, rar, psd, video, audio, images, and more. Maximum file size is 15 MB. Contact support if you need to monitor larger files.

Checksum vs Text Monitoring

Method Best For Shows Exact Changes
File checksum Any file type (binary, images, archives) No, only that the file changed
Text monitoring PDF, Excel, Word, CSV, PowerPoint Yes, line-by-line diff

If you need to see exactly what text changed in a document, use the dedicated text monitoring for PDF, Excel, Word, CSV, or PowerPoint files instead.

FAQ

  • How often are files checked? You can set the frequency from every 5 minutes to monthly, depending on your plan.
  • What if the file is no longer accessible? You will be notified with an error status.
  • Can I stop monitoring a file? Yes, disable or delete it at any time.

Ready to Track Changes?

Set up monitoring in under 60 seconds and never miss important updates again.

Track a New Page