Securing Your Castle: How to Store Passwords Safely in Databases

Never store passwords directly in the database. Imagine them written as plain text - hackers who breach the database can instantly access all user accounts.

The Hero: Hashing with a Salt

Making it Stronger: More Iterations

Modern password hashing algorithms are designed to be slow. This makes it computationally expensive for hackers to try cracking passwords with brute force methods (trying every possible combination). Libraries and frameworks often provide ways to configure the number of iterations (how many times the hashing function is run) to make it even more secure.

Further Enhancements

• Regular Re-hashing: As hashing algorithms improve, it's a good practice to re-hash passwords periodically using stronger functions. This future-proofs your security.
• Password Management: Encourage users to create strong passwords and consider using a secure password manager to avoid password reuse across different applications.

The user enters their desired password during registration or password change.

Generate a Salt

The program generates a random string of characters to be the salt. This string should be unique for each user.

Combine Password and Salt

The program securely combines the user's password with the generated salt. This might involve simple concatenation (depending on the language).

Hashing with Salt

The program uses a cryptographic hash function (e.g., bcrypt, Argon2) on the combined password-salt string. This will output a hashed value.

Store Hashed Password and Salt

The program stores the generated hashed password value along with the original salt in the database. The salt itself is not secret but should be kept separate from the hashed password for better security.

User Login

When the user tries to log in, they enter their password.

Repeat Steps 3-4

The program repeats steps 3 and 4 using the entered password and the stored salt retrieved from the database for that user.

Verification

The program compares the newly generated hash (from steps 3-4) with the stored hashed password value in the database. If they match, the login is successful; otherwise, it fails.

Important Note:

• Never store the plain text password at any stage.
• Use a reputable and secure hashing library/function in your chosen language.
• Configure the hashing function to use a high number of iterations for increased security.

• Concept: Instead of storing the hashed password itself, the system encrypts the password using a master key. This master key is then stored securely, often in a separate Hardware Security Module (HSM).
• Security: If implemented correctly, password vaulting can be very secure. The attacker needs to breach both the database and the HSM to access the master key and decrypt passwords.
• Drawbacks: Managing the HSM and its security adds complexity. Password recovery for users becomes more challenging if the master key is compromised. Not all applications or environments have access to HSMs.

Passwordless Authentication (Emerging Trend)

• Concept: This approach eliminates passwords altogether. Users might rely on multi-factor authentication (MFA) with methods like fingerprint scanners, security keys, or one-time codes for login.
• Security: MFA adds a strong layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if they steal usernames.
• Drawbacks: Not all users have access to reliable MFA methods. Passwordless login might not be suitable for all applications or user types. Backup and recovery mechanisms need careful consideration.

Remember:

• Hashing with a salt remains the most common and secure approach for most password storage scenarios.
• Consider password vaulting or passwordless methods only if you have specific security requirements or limitations that hashing can't address.
• Always prioritize strong security practices like user education on creating strong passwords and following secure login practices.