What are password hashing algorithms and how do they work?

What are password hashing algorithms and how do they work?

Password hashing algorithms are cryptographic functions that convert passwords into fixed-size strings of characters, which are typically not reversible. They enhance security by ensuring that even if a database is compromised, the actual passwords are not easily retrievable.

Why is it important to hash passwords instead of storing them in plain text?

Hashing passwords protects them from being easily accessed by attackers. If passwords are stored in plain text, anyone who gains access to the database can see them directly. Hashing makes it much harder to retrieve the original password even if the hash is exposed.

What are some common password hashing algorithms?

Some common password hashing algorithms include bcrypt, Argon2, PBKDF2, and scrypt. Each has its own strengths in terms of security and performance.

How does bcrypt differ from other hashing algorithms?

Bcrypt is specifically designed for hashing passwords and includes a work factor that makes it slower to compute, which helps defend against brute-force attacks. It also incorporates a salt to protect against rainbow table attacks.

Can you explain what a salt is in the context of password hashing?

A salt is a random value added to a password before hashing. It ensures that even if two users have the same password, their hashes will be different, making it more difficult for attackers to use precomputed hash tables.