Is “double hashing” a password less secure than just hashing it once?

Question

Is hashing a password twice before storage any more or less secure than just hashing it once?

What I\'m talking about is doing this:

$hashed_password         


        

Answer 1

As several responses in this article suggest, there are some cases where it may improves security and others where it definately hurts it. There is a better solution that will definately improve security. Instead of doubling the number of times you calculate the hash, double the size of your salt, or double the number of bits used int the hash, or do both! Instead of SHA-245, jump up to SHA-512.