Answer :
Final answer:
MD5 is used to store and verify passwords securely by creating a hash that represents the original password. However, due to vulnerabilities, it is considered outdated, and stronger algorithms are now recommended.
Correct option is C
Explanation:
Developers use the MD5 hashing algorithm to store and verify passwords securely without revealing the original password. This means that when a password is entered, it is processed through the MD5 algorithm which creates a unique fixed-size string of characters, known as a hash. When a user logs in, the password they enter is hashed again, and the system compares it with the stored hash. If the hashes match, access is granted.
MD5 is no longer considered secure for hashing passwords due to its vulnerabilities to hash collisions and its fast hashing speed which allows for efficient brute-force attacks. Therefore, most modern applications now use stronger algorithms such as bcrypt, Argon2, or SHA-256 for password hashing.