How do I change the cost factor in bcrypt-ruby?

Set a global default with BCrypt::Engine.cost = new_value, or override it per password by passing :cost => value in options. For example, BCrypt::Password.create('password', :cost => 10) uses a cost of 10, balancing security and performance.

Is bcrypt-ruby secure for handling international characters?

Yes, but ensure you're using version >= 2.1.4 on JRuby due to a past vulnerability. If you used an older version with international characters, re-hash those passwords to maintain security.

bcrypt vs Argon2: which should I use for password hashing in Ruby?

Bcrypt is well-established and default in Rails, while Argon2 is newer with enhanced GPU resistance. Bcrypt-ruby only supports bcrypt, so for Argon2, consider alternatives like the argon2 gem, but bcrypt remains a reliable choice for most use cases.

How does bcrypt-ruby integrate with Rails has_secure_password?

Rails' has_secure_password uses bcrypt-ruby under the hood. When included in a model, it automatically handles password hashing with bcrypt, simplifying authentication without manual bcrypt-ruby setup.

What's the performance impact of using bcrypt-ruby in a high-traffic app?

Bcrypt's computational cost can slow authentication, particularly for stateless setups. The README suggests lowering the cost factor for such scenarios, but this reduces security, so weigh trade-offs based on your app's needs.

Open-Awesome

bcrypt-ruby

NOASSERTIONCv3.1.22

A Ruby binding for the OpenBSD bcrypt() password hashing algorithm to securely store user passwords.

GitHub

2.0k stars293 forks0 contributors

What is bcrypt-ruby?

bcrypt-ruby is a Ruby binding for the OpenBSD bcrypt() password hashing algorithm that enables secure storage of user passwords in Ruby applications. It solves the critical security problem of protecting passwords in databases by making password cracking computationally expensive through adaptive hashing. The library automatically handles salt generation and provides adjustable cost factors to maintain security as hardware improves.

Target Audience

Ruby and Rails developers building applications that require secure user authentication and password storage. This includes web developers, security-conscious application builders, and anyone implementing user management systems in Ruby.

Value Proposition

Developers choose bcrypt-ruby because it implements the industry-standard bcrypt algorithm specifically designed for password protection, provides automatic salt handling to prevent rainbow table attacks, and offers adjustable cost factors to future-proof security. It's the default password hashing implementation in Rails and is battle-tested in production environments.

Overview

bcrypt-ruby is a Ruby binding for the OpenBSD bcrypt() password hashing algorithm, allowing you to easily store a secure hash of your users' passwords.

Use Cases

Best For

Securing user passwords in Ruby on Rails applications
Implementing secure authentication systems in Ruby
Protecting against password database breaches
Future-proofing password security with adjustable cost factors
Adding bcrypt password hashing to legacy Ruby applications
Building applications that require compliance with security best practices

Not Ideal For

Applications with stringent performance requirements where bcrypt's computational cost is prohibitive, such as high-traffic APIs with stateless authentication.
Projects that require support for modern password hashing algorithms like Argon2, which bcrypt-ruby does not implement.
Environments needing built-in password policy enforcement or complexity rules beyond basic hashing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Industry-Standard Security

Implements the bcrypt algorithm specifically designed for password protection, making password cracking computationally expensive and resistant to rainbow table attacks.

Adjustable Cost Factor

Allows developers to increase the work factor over time to maintain security as hardware improves, with a default cost of 12 that can be customized.

Automatic Salt Management

Handles salt generation and storage transparently, eliminating common implementation errors and ensuring each hash is unique.

Seamless Rails Integration

Integrates directly with Rails through ActiveModel::SecurePassword, making it easy for developers to add secure password hashing to their applications.

Cons

Performance Overhead

Bcrypt is intentionally slow to resist brute-force attacks, which can increase server load and response times, especially in stateless authentication scenarios, as noted in the README.

Limited Algorithm Support

Only supports the bcrypt algorithm, missing newer options like Argon2 that might offer better security properties in some contexts, limiting flexibility.

Native Extension Dependency

Requires compilation of native extensions on some platforms, which can complicate installation and deployment compared to pure-Ruby solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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