Authentication, Authorization & Security
This guide covers essential security concepts and best practices for protecting web applications.
Authentication
User Authentication Methods
- Username/Password: Traditional login systems
- OAuth: Third-party authentication
- JWT: JSON Web Tokens for stateless authentication
- 2FA/MFA: Multi-factor authentication
Password Security
- Hashing: Using secure algorithms (bcrypt, Argon2)
- Salt: Adding random data to passwords
- Storage: Secure password storage practices
- Reset Process: Secure password recovery
Authorization
Access Control
- Role-Based (RBAC): Managing permissions by user roles
- Permission Levels: Granular access control
- Resource Protection: Securing endpoints and data
Session Management
- Session Tokens: Secure token generation and storage
- Expiration: Managing session lifetimes
- Invalidation: Handling logout and timeouts
Security Best Practices
Input Validation
- Sanitization: Cleaning user input
- Validation: Checking data integrity
- Prevention: XSS and injection protection
Data Protection
- Encryption: Data at rest and in transit
- SSL/TLS: Secure communication
- API Security: Rate limiting and authentication
Common Threats
- CSRF: Cross-Site Request Forgery protection
- XSS: Cross-Site Scripting prevention
- SQL Injection: Database query protection
- MITM: Man-in-the-middle attack prevention
Authentication Libraries & Solutions
For detailed information about authentication libraries and solutions, please refer to the following guides:
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Passport.js - Node.js authentication middleware
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Auth0 - Complete identity platform
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Firebase Authentication - Google's authentication service
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NextAuth.js - Authentication for Next.js applications
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Clerk - Modern authentication and user management
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Security Level Required
- Basic authentication
- Multi-factor authentication
- Biometric authentication
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Scalability Needs
- User base size
- Geographic distribution
- Performance requirements
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Compliance Requirements
- GDPR
- HIPAA
- SOC2
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Integration Complexity
- Development time
- Maintenance overhead
- Team expertise
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SQL Injection: Database query protection
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Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Client-side security
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CSRF: Cross-Site Request Forgery prevention
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DDoS: Denial of Service protection
Monitoring & Auditing
- Logging: Security event tracking
- Monitoring: Detecting suspicious activity
- Auditing: Regular security reviews
- Compliance: Meeting security standards