Why Hashing is a Better Choice than Encryption for Password Security

Discover why hashing outperforms encryption for securely storing passwords.

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Hashing is preferred over encryption for storing passwords because it’s a one-way function, making it impossible to reverse-engineer the original data. Encryption is reversible, posing a security risk if the decryption key is compromised. Hashing ensures passwords remain secure even in the event of a data breach.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the difference between hashing and encryption? Hashing is a one-way function that secures data without allowing it to be retrieved, while encryption allows data to be reversed back to its original form.
  2. Why is hashing preferred for password storage? Hashing is preferred because it makes passwords unreadable and ensures security, even if the storage system is compromised.
  3. Can hashing be reversed? No, hashing cannot be reversed, unlike encryption, making it safer for sensitive information like passwords.
  4. What are the common algorithms used for hashing passwords? Common algorithms include SHA-256, bcrypt, and Argon2, each providing different levels of security and efficiency.

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