# Hashing and Encryption

Hashing is one-way, a fingerprint you can check but never undo, so it's for passwords. Encryption is two-way with a key, so it's for data you need back. A password hash needs a random salt and many rounds, which is what PBKDF2 and ASP.NET Core's PasswordHasher do for you.

![Cheat sheet: Hashing and Encryption](https://fsdtrainingmedia.blob.core.windows.net/public/images/2026/11/8e5f81bc35984c18b7e3f0338ddd3875.webp)

- Category: C#
- Level: Journeyman
- Tags: c-sharp, Encryption, Hashing, Salt, web-development
- Updated: November 3, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/cheat-sheets/security-basics-hashing-and-encryption-cheat-sheet