Cryptography

This section is currently unfinished and will be updated further!

Example 1 - Generating a Random Salt Value

import os

def generate_salt():
    salt_value = os.urandom(16).hex()

    return salt_value

salt = generate_salt()

print(f"Generated Salt: {salt}")

Show Output

Generated Salt: 5d35492ceb244ab8225ebeb5846eb9e0

Explanation

The first line imports Python’s built-in os module, which provides access to operating system features such as file handling and random number generation. In this case, the os.urandom() function will be used to generate cryptographically secure random data.

The third line defines a function called generate_salt that does not take any parameters.

On the fourth line, os.urandom(16) creates 16 random bytes using the operating system’s secure random number generator. .hex() converts those bytes into a hexadecimal string, which is a readable text format often used to represent binary data. The result is stored in the variable salt_value.

The sixth line sends the generated hexadecimal string back to the code that called the function. The returned value can then be stored or used elsewhere in the program.

The eighth line calls the generate_salt() function. The returned hexadecimal string (the salt) is stored in the variable salt.

The tenth and final line displays the generated salt on the screen. Each time the program is run, a different random string will be printed.

Example 2 - Hashing a Password Using SHA-256

import hashlib

def hash_password(password):
    password_hash = hashlib.sha256(password.encode()).hexdigest()

    return password_hash

hashed_password = hash_password("qwerty")

print(f"Password Hash: {hashed_password}")

Show Output

Password Hash: 65e84be33532fb784c48129675f9eff3a682b27168c0ea744b2cf58ee02337c5

Explanation

The first line imports Python’s hashlib module. The hashlib module allows you to use different hashing algorithms, such as SHA-256, to convert data (like a password) into a fixed-length string of characters.

The third line defines a function called hash_password that takes one parameter, password. The function’s job is to take the user’s password and convert it into a secure hashed version.

On the fourth line, password.encode() converts the password (which is a string) into bytes, because hashing algorithms work with bytes, not plain text. hashlib.sha256() applies the SHA-256 hashing algorithm to the password bytes. .hexdigest() converts the hash result into a readable hexadecimal string (a long sequence of numbers and letters).

The sixth line sends the generated hash value back to wherever the function was called. It means you can use the hashed password in the rest of your program.