FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
Which of the following is the primary purpose of hashing a password before storing it in a database?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To verify the password without storing it in plaintext
Hashing is a one-way function that converts a password into a fixed-length string. It is used to securely store passwords so that even if the database is breached, the actual passwords are not easily recoverable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To make the password longer and more secure
Why it's wrong here
Hashing does not increase security of the original password.
- ✓
To verify the password without storing it in plaintext
Why this is correct
Hashing allows verification by comparing hashes.
- ✗
To compress the password to save storage space
Why it's wrong here
Hashing is not primarily for compression.
- ✗
To encrypt the password so it can be decrypted later
Why it's wrong here
Hashing is not reversible; encryption is reversible.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.