What are the potential security risks of sending passwords via email in PHP?

Sending passwords via email in PHP poses a significant security risk because email is not a secure method of communication. Emails can be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, potentially exposing sensitive information. To mitigate this risk, passwords should never be sent via email. Instead, a secure password reset mechanism should be implemented that allows users to reset their passwords securely. 

// Example of securely resetting a user's password
// Generate a unique token for password reset
$token = bin2hex(random_bytes(16));

// Store the token in the database along with the user's ID and an expiry timestamp
// Send the user an email with a link to a password reset form, including the token
// When the user submits the form with the token, verify the token and allow them to reset their password

Keywords

security risks sending passwords email PHP encryption

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