What is the most used method for hashing passwords in PHP?

Hi everyone,

I am relatively new to PHP programming and recently I have been exploring the topic of password hashing in PHP. I understand that password hashing is essential for secure user authentication and protecting user passwords from being easily compromised.

I have come across various methods for hashing passwords in PHP, such as MD5, SHA-1, and crypt. However, I have read that these methods are no longer considered secure because they are relatively fast and can be easily cracked using modern computing power.

Hence, I am curious to know what is currently the most recommended and widely used method for hashing passwords in PHP? I want to ensure that I am following the best practices for securing passwords in my PHP applications.

Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

All Replies

vsanford

July 18 2023 at 09:31 AM

Hey everyone,

From my personal experience, I can share that the most commonly used method for hashing passwords in PHP is using the password_hash() function with the PASSWORD_DEFAULT algorithm. This algorithm automatically selects the most secure algorithm available on your system.

What I really like about this method is that it abstracts away the complexities of choosing the algorithm, generating salts, and managing options. It provides a simple and reliable way to hash passwords without having to worry about the underlying implementation details.

Here's an example of how to use password_hash() with PASSWORD_DEFAULT:

php
$password = 'myPassword123';

$hashedPassword = password_hash($password, PASSWORD_DEFAULT);

And to verify the password, you can use the password_verify() function in a similar way as mentioned in the previous response:

php
$enteredPassword = 'myPassword123';

if (password_verify($enteredPassword, $hashedPassword)) {

    // Password is correct

} else {

    // Password is incorrect

}

By using password_hash() with the PASSWORD_DEFAULT algorithm, you can be confident that your passwords are securely hashed using the most appropriate algorithm available.

I hope this information is helpful for you. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Helpful (4)

mgutkowski

July 16 2023 at 08:34 PM

Hey folks,

I've been using PHP for quite some time now, and I'm glad you brought up the topic of password hashing. In my personal experience, the method I've found to be highly recommended for hashing passwords in PHP is using the password_hash() function with the PASSWORD_ARGON2ID algorithm.

What sets PASSWORD_ARGON2ID apart is its resistance to both brute force and side-channel attacks, making it a robust choice for password hashing. It incorporates features like memory hardness and time-cost parameters, which make it harder for attackers to crack passwords efficiently.

Here's an example of how to use password_hash() with PASSWORD_ARGON2ID:

php
$password = 'myPassword123';

$hashedPassword = password_hash($password, PASSWORD_ARGON2ID);

The great thing about this method is that it abstracts away the complexity of the underlying algorithm. It automatically handles the selection of the best available implementation on your system, ensuring you are using the most secure option without any extra effort.

To verify the password, you can still use the password_verify() function as follows:

php
$enteredPassword = 'myPassword123';

if (password_verify($enteredPassword, $hashedPassword)) {

    // Password is correct

} else {

    // Password is incorrect

}

Using PASSWORD_ARGON2ID provides a strong level of security and peace of mind for password hashing in PHP applications.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Happy coding!

Helpful (6)

Related Topics

green15

July 05 2023 at 01:11 PM

Hey there!

I totally understand your concern. Security is a critical aspect of any application, and password hashing plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of user passwords. Based on my personal experience, I can tell you that the most commonly recommended method for hashing passwords in PHP is using the password_hash() function in combination with the PASSWORD_BCRYPT algorithm.

The reason why this method is widely used is because it incorporates a number of important security features. The PASSWORD_BCRYPT algorithm applies a salt to each password, making it much more difficult for attackers to crack passwords using rainbow table attacks or precomputed tables.

Additionally, the password_hash() function automatically generates a random salt for each password, eliminating the need for developers to handle salt generation and storage themselves. This simplifies the implementation and removes potential pitfalls.

Here's a basic example of how to use password_hash() with PASSWORD_BCRYPT:

php
$password = 'myPassword123';

$hashedPassword = password_hash($password, PASSWORD_BCRYPT);

To verify the password in the future, you can use the password_verify() function:

php
$enteredPassword = 'myPassword123';

if (password_verify($enteredPassword, $hashedPassword)) {

    // Password is correct

} else {

    // Password is incorrect

}

By utilizing these functions, you can ensure that passwords are securely hashed and verified without the need for storing plaintext passwords.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.

Helpful (7)

What is the most used method for hashing passwords in PHP?

All Replies

Related Topics

More Topics Related to Best Practices

More Topics Related to PHP Applications

More Topics Related to Secure

Popular Tags

New to LearnPHP.org Community?