Storing passwords securely is critical for any C# application, ASP.NET project, or web application. Let’s explore the right and wrong ways to save passwords in a database.
1. ❌ Store Plaintext Passwords
- Advantage: Easy to implement.
- Disadvantage: Huge security risk — if the database is hacked, all user passwords are exposed.
👉 Never store plaintext passwords in C# or SQL Server.
2. 🔐 Encrypt and Decrypt Passwords
- Advantages: Better than plaintext; passwords are not immediately visible.
- Disadvantages: Reversible — if the encryption key is leaked, all passwords are at risk.
👉 Use encryption in C# only when decryption is absolutely necessary.
3. ✅ Use Strong Hashing Algorithms
- Advantages: One-way hash, secure against brute-force attacks, widely supported.
- Disadvantages: Slightly higher CPU cost (good for security).
👉 Always use bcrypt, scrypt, PBKDF2, or Argon2 in C# password hashing. Avoid MD5/SHA1.
4. 🔑 Hashing with Salt
- Advantages: Protects against rainbow table attacks, ensures unique hashes.
- Disadvantages: Needs proper implementation.
👉 Best practice: Use bcrypt with salt or Argon2 in .NET applications.
5. 🚫 Rate-Limiting & Login Security
- Advantages: Stops brute-force, credential stuffing, and automated login abuse.
- Disadvantages: May require Redis, CAPTCHA, or Web Application Firewall.
👉 Implement rate-limiting in ASP.NET Core Identity for maximum login security.
Final Thoughts
The safest approach to store passwords in a database using C# or ASP.NET is:
- Hash + Salt with strong algorithms (bcrypt/Argon2)
- Enable rate-limiting and account lockouts
- Never store passwords as plaintext or reversible encryption
By following these steps, you protect your .NET applications, SQL databases, and user accounts from modern cyberattacks.
