Which statement is true regarding password submission and verification?

The statement about password submission and verification that is true is the one indicating that the hashed password is compared to a stored value. This reflects a fundamental principle of secure password handling in operating systems and applications.

When a user submits a password, the system typically does not store this password in plaintext for security reasons. Instead, the system stores a hashed version of the password, which is a cryptographic representation that is generated by applying a hash function to the original password. When a user attempts to log in, the system hashes the submitted password and compares this new hash to the stored hash. If they match, the authentication is successful.

This approach enhances security because even if an attacker manages to access the database containing the hashed passwords, they will not find the actual passwords. Instead, they will have to attempt to reverse-engineer the hash, which is computationally difficult and time-consuming if proper hashing algorithms (along with techniques like salting) are used. This process helps prevent unauthorized access and protects user credentials effectively.

The other statements do not accurately reflect best practices or correct procedures for password management. For instance, comparing passwords without hashing poses significant security risks, as it requires storing passwords in plaintext. Furthermore, password submission is a critical step for verification, as