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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Intermediate

bcrypt

Adaptive password-hashing function based on Blowfish with a configurable cost factor.

Definition

bcrypt (1999) includes a built-in salt and a cost parameter that doubles work with each increment, letting it keep pace with faster hardware. It truncates input at 72 bytes. It remains widely used, though Argon2id is now preferred for new systems.

Example

A bcrypt hash such as $2b$12$... indicates cost factor 12 (2^12 iterations of the key schedule).

Exam tip

bcrypt is a key stretching algorithm; know it derives from Blowfish.

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