A study on one way hashing function and its application for FTMSK webmail / Noor Hasimah Ibrahim Teo

Password is a normal way for securing data from intruders. The
widespread use of password is in email account. The advances of technology
have reduced the function of password in security, where there are many
chances of password to be sniffed or hack by intruders. FTMSK webmail is using
password as an authentication method. The problem was, their lecturer is not
allowed to send examination question through email. This means that they do not
trust the security of webmail. There are several techniques use to transform
plaintext password to other form of password. One of it is call one-way hashing
function. One-way hashing function consists of several algorithms. However MD5
is the most common hashing function currently in use. The research are aim to
detemriine security of using one way hashing function at client side for FTMSK
webmail login system and design framework for one way hashing function. A
prototype is developed using MD5 algorithm and based on prototype approach,
since it study on existing system. Tests are run for both FTMSK webmail and
prototypes to determine whether the plain text password can be retrieved.
Furthermore framework for one way hashing function is designed. Password
need to be store in database on server in the form of hashing value. Secure
password during transmission can be obtained by running protection on the client
side of client server architecture.