[PHP] Hashing Help

[Travis1128]

Hello. I have a few questions about the hashing methods available.

 

I have read plenty of articles on the net about how MD5 and SHA0/SHA1 are not ideal methods to hash your data. PHP.net has recommended crypt() or hash(), but I am curious if salting even protects your users passwords? I know salting protects against rainbow tables ... but is there no way to defend against Brute Force or Dictionary Attacks?

 

Anyways. What do you guys recommend I use just to make sure my user's password's are not ... compromised. I guess the first-layer of defense would be to make sure your database passwords are secure and under a DMZ. But solutions like that including IDS / Firewall are ranging between $2500-$5000 a month.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.