Why are passwords hashed?

Why are passwords hashed instead of stored in plain text?

Passwords are hashed to protect them from unauthorized access. Hashing transforms the password into a fixed-size string of characters, which is not reversible.

What happens if someone gets access to the hashed passwords?

If someone accesses hashed passwords, they cannot easily retrieve the original passwords. However, if weak hashing algorithms are used, they might be vulnerable to attacks like brute force.

Are there different hashing algorithms? Which one is the best?

Yes, there are several hashing algorithms like SHA-256, bcrypt, and Argon2. Bcrypt and Argon2 are often recommended for password hashing due to their resistance to brute-force attacks.

How can I ensure my passwords are secure?

Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. Also, consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.