Question : How to hash password and convert it back in VB.NET ?

Hello Guys,

I am developing a vb.net windows program which will retrieve password from a MySql database and also save it. But I want to save passwords in an encrypted format so that even if someone is able to read password from database he wont be able to understand/use it.

After doing some research I found that one way is password hashing. But what confuses me on this front is how do you get back password after it has been hashed. And do we need to use some key to hash it otherwise anyone can get back password after it has been hashed.

Please throw light as to how can I create hashed password in Visual Basic .NET (2008) and convert hashed password to normal string. What sort of hashing is best suited here ?

If hashing wont work here, should I use vb.net build in encryption methods or what.

Thank You,

Cheers,
Saurabh

Answer : How to hash password and convert it back in VB.NET ?

But don't you obfuscate the exe file?

I'm currently using SmartAssembly (http://www.red-gate.com/products/smartassembly/index.htm) but you have others in the market (some free)