Should password fields have an unmask checkbox?

1. Why are password fields hidden?
2. Why do we need to mask passwords?
3. What is it called when you hide a password?

Why are password fields hidden?

Password masking is where the password you type into a password field is 'masked' or hidden behind bullet points or asterisks. Masking passwords ensures your security when typing. It prevents any 'over the shoulder' spies from peeking at your password.

Why do we need to mask passwords?

What does masking passwords do? Masking does visually block the password so that users can't immediately see what it is. This is useful to prevent someone from looking over your shoulder and seeing what the password says. But it doesn't stop a user from finding out what that password is.

What is it called when you hide a password?

Password masking is that familiar practice of hiding the password characters – as entered by the user – behind bullets (●), asterisks (*), or similar camouflaging characters.