A first and a second device both have access to a series of data representing configurations of hash functions. The first device selects a first configuration and implements a hashing function from the selected configuration. A hash value is generated and transmitted to the second device. The second device has hashing configurations stored on a memory. A processor in the second device selects the first hashing configuration to implement the hash function from the first configuration and generates a hash value. The hash values generated on the first device and generated on the second device are compared to determine an action. The first configuration is disabled and a new configuration is retrieved. At least 4 and more preferably at least 5 different n-state functions with n>2 are used in a hash function.