The attempt method accepts an array of key / value pairs as its first argument. The values in the array will be used to find the user in your database table. So, in the example above, the user will be retrieved by the value of the email column. If the user is found, the hashed password stored in the database will be compared with the password value passed to the method via the array. You should not hash the password specified as the password value, since the framework will automatically hash the value before comparing it to the hashed password in the database. If the two hashed passwords match an authenticated session will be started for the user.
Note You should not hash the password specified as the password value ...
@jlrdw@snapey if you use laravel default routes and controller to register and login than the password is automatically hashed but if you try to manually create your own system that register and login than the password doesn't hashed automatically.
I really like laravel, it's flexible and secure when security is properly implemented. But it just scares me the number of laravel apps out there where proper security wasn't implemented. Just my opinion.
Even if custom Auth, the php manual shows how to hash a password. I put the links already in an answer above.