hashing the username

[jimfog]

I am looking into ways to hash the username(to use it in the setcookie function). And I am trying to examine what is the route I should follow. Using a function like sha1 provided by PHP or something more advanced like phppass http://www.openwall.com/phpass/. What do you think should I do?

[Krewe]

Why do you want to hash the username? Even if your setting a cookie.I can't think of any reason you'd need more security with a username if you HAVE TO hash it, so Sha1 should be enough.

Edited September 14, 2012 by Krewe

[niche]

Here's your answer you requested: http://php.net/manual/en/function.sha1.php Krewe's post not withstanding, don't forget the salt.

[jimfog]

According to a view, we must not use the username but some other random number, an identifier. What is your opinion about the above?

[birbal]

identifier should not be plain text like username,user id etc it should be properly hashed.cause it will be easily guessable and manipulable. it should not be same as you hash your password. hashed password and hashed identifier for persistent login should not be matched.