Understand how the web works: Authentication(part4)

Hey everyone!

I’m back after a quick pause. Life gets in the way, you know? But I’m pumped to jump back into our web development adventure. Today, we’re gonna start exploring the big world of web security beginning with authentication.

Authentication: Your Main Defense Against Web Threats

Authentication is just the start when it comes to keeping websites safe, but it’s super important to begin with. Think of it like a guard at the door of a cool party — it’s the first check to make sure the right folks can enter.

Let’s look at some common ways to do authentication:

1. Password-based Authentication
   It’s the simplest type, but lots of people still use it.
   Tip to stay safe: Make sure passwords are complex and lock accounts after too many wrong tries.

• Good stuff: Easy to set up and get
• Not-so-good stuff: Bad guys can guess passwords or people might use the same one everywhere

2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
It adds another step to keep things safer than just using a password.
Cool fact: Microsoft says 2FA can stop almost all computer attacks!

• Different kinds: Text codes special apps, fingerprints special keys
• Good stuff: Makes things way more secure
• Not-so-good stuff: Can be a pain for people to use

3. Token-based Authentication Uses short-lived tokens instead of passwords for every request.
Keep in mind: We’ll take a closer look at JWT in a future post!

• Types: JWT (JSON Web Tokens), OAuth tokens
• Good points: No state grows well, and fits mobile and web apps
• Bad points: If you’re not careful, someone might steal the tokens

3. OAuth and OpenID Connect OAuth 2.0 lets you give permission, while OpenID Connect adds a way to know who you are on top.

• When to use: “Sign in with Google/Facebook/GitHub” features
• Good points: Lets you give permission without sharing passwords
• Bad points: It can be tricky to set up the right way

4. Biometric Authentication Uses body features to identify people.

• Types: Fingerprints, face scans, voice checks
• Good stuff: safe and easy to use
• Not-so-good stuff: Some worry about privacy, and it can cost a lot to set up

5. Single Sign-On (SSO) Lets people get into many apps with just one login.
Big companies love this: SSO is a big hit in office settings.

• Good stuff: Makes life easier for users, cuts down on password headaches
• Not-so-good stuff: If someone cracks it, they can mess with lots of systems

Keep in mind, we’ve touched on the basics of authentication. It’s just one part of web security. In the next few weeks, we’ll look closer at different security stuff, like:

• How session management and cookies work
• How to stop Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks
• How to set up and get Content Security Policy (CSP)
• How to deal with Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) issues

You need to know all these things to build web apps that are secure. They’re all connected in cool ways. Authentication is just where it starts!