// If the stored hash is longer than an MD5, presume the
// new style phpass portable hash.
if ( empty($wp_hasher) ) {
require_once( ABSPATH . 'wp-includes/class-phpass.php');
// By default, use the portable hash from phpass
$wp_hasher = new PasswordHash(8, TRUE);
}
I don't think SSL is really necessary for a community site like the wordpress one.