Salt Hashing
Salt hashing is a cryptographic technique that enhances password security by adding a random value (salt) to a password before hashing it, making it resistant to precomputed attacks like rainbow tables. It ensures that identical passwords produce different hash values, protecting against dictionary and brute-force attacks. This method is widely used in authentication systems to securely store user credentials in databases.
Developers should learn and use salt hashing when building applications that handle user authentication, such as web apps, mobile apps, or APIs, to prevent password breaches and comply with security best practices. It is essential for protecting sensitive data in scenarios like user registration, login systems, and password storage, as it mitigates risks from common attacks like credential stuffing and data leaks.