I’m building a forum login and need to hash passwords client-side using SHA-256 before sending them to the server. However, I’m overwhelmed by the number of SHA-256 implementations in JavaScript—there doesn’t seem to be a clear, trusted standard.
I understand using third-party crypto libraries requires caution unless you can review them yourself, but hashing passwords seems like a common enough task that I expected some consensus on a reliable library.
Are there any well-regarded SHA-256 libraries in the JavaScript ecosystem that developers generally trust?
Note: We rehash passwords server-side before storing them. The client-side hashing is done because the user specifically requested it—likely out of an abundance of caution.
I totally get your concerns here!
For client-side hashing, you’re right that you need to be very careful about the implementation you choose.
A very reliable option would be the Web Crypto API, which is built directly into modern browsers and provides a strong, native implementation of sha256 javascript. It’s not third-party, and it’s actively maintained by browser vendors, so it’s a solid choice.
If you’re avoiding third-party libraries, using the Web Crypto API will give you the most trusted and secure option out there.
Plus, while working with the Web Crypto API, you can seamlessly pass data for hashing with sha256 javascript functions, making the process even smoother.
@priyankachaturvedi That’s something I’ve worried about too. If you’re using a library, CryptoJS is one that seems to be widely trusted and used in the community.
It’s been around for a while and is actively maintained. While I would still prefer to stick with native browser solutions like the Web Crypto API, CryptoJS offers a good balance of convenience and security for client-side hashing, especially if you’re targeting older browsers that don’t fully support Web Crypto.
Just make sure you’re using the latest version of the library. One advantage of CryptoJS is that it provides easy-to-use functions for sha256 javascript, which can be very convenient if you need to integrate this functionality with other JavaScript features.
Using sha256 javascript client-side can definitely be tricky, but I think you’re on the right track by ensuring a double-hash on the server side.
For trustworthy implementations, I would recommend jsSHA, a popular library for cryptographic hashing in JavaScript. It’s actively maintained, with an open-source community behind it, and is generally considered reliable for cryptographic purposes.
That said, as you mentioned, it’s crucial to review any code you’re using—client-side hashes can still be vulnerable to various attacks (e.g., man-in-the-middle) if not properly handled. Always ensure that your transport layer is secure (i.e., use HTTPS).
As you work with these libraries, remember that sha256 javascript can be implemented effectively using jsSHA, and it’s one of the more trusted options available.