PBKDF2 vs. bcrypt: Which is the Best Password Hashing Algorithm for Golang/App Engine?

Securing User Passwords in Golang/App Engine

Ensuring the security of user passwords is paramount in any application, and Golang/App Engine offers multiple options to achieve this. While the bcrypt library may not be suitable due to its dependency on syscall, there are several alternative approaches to consider.

PBKDF2

One recommended option is the PBKDF2 algorithm, available in Go through the crypto/pbkdf2 package. This function takes a password, a salt, and several parameters as input, and outputs a derived key. The salt should be a unique, randomly generated value for each user.

Example:

<code class="go">import "golang.org/x/crypto/pbkdf2"

func hashPassword(password, salt []byte) []byte {
    defer zeroize(password)
    return pbkdf2.Key(password, salt, 4096, sha256.Size, sha256.New)
}</code>

bcrypt

Another viable option is the bcrypt algorithm, which is known for its high security and computational cost. Go provides a pure Go implementation of bcrypt through the golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt package.

Example:

<code class="go">import "golang.org/x/crypto/bcrypt"

func hashPassword(password []byte) ([]byte, error) {
    defer zeroize(password)
    return bcrypt.GenerateFromPassword(password, bcrypt.DefaultCost)
}</code>

Comparison

Both PBKDF2 and bcrypt are secure options for password hashing. However, PBKDF2 is more customizable, allowing you to specify the number of iterations and hash function used. bcrypt, on the other hand, is known for its simplicity and speed.

Choosing the Best Option

The choice between PBKDF2 and bcrypt depends on specific requirements. If customization is important, PBKDF2 is a suitable choice. If speed and simplicity are crucial, bcrypt is the preferred option. Remember to use a salt value for each user to prevent rainbow table attacks.

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