In this offline lecture, Harkirat covered authentication using JWT with localStorage, and authentication using cookies. He explained the implementation details, properties of cookies, and how the SameSite attribute helps mitigate CSRF attacks. Lastly, we see a fullstack implementation

What is Authentication?

Authentication is a crucial security process that allows users to securely access websites, applications, or systems by verifying their identities. It is the process of confirming that a user is who they claim to be, typically through the use of credentials such as a username and password or other authentication methods.

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The authentication process typically involves the following steps:

  1. User Identification: The user provides their unique identifier, such as a username, email address, or other identifying information.
  2. Credential Verification: The user submits their credentials, such as a password, biometric data (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition), or other authentication factors.
  3. Credential Validation: The system compares the provided credentials against the stored credentials in a secure database or authentication server.
  4. Access Granted or Denied: If the provided credentials match the stored credentials, the user is authenticated, and access is granted. If the credentials do not match, access is denied, and the user may be prompted to try again or follow additional authentication steps.

Authentication can be implemented using various methods, including:

  1. Username and Password: This is the most common form of authentication, where users provide a unique username and a corresponding password.
  2. Single Sign-On (SSO): SSO allows users to access multiple applications or services with a single set of credentials, eliminating the need to log in separately for each application.
  3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional authentication factors beyond just a username and password, such as a one-time code sent to their mobile device or a biometric factor like a fingerprint or facial recognition.
  4. Passwordless Authentication: This method eliminates the need for traditional passwords by using alternative authentication factors like magic links, push notifications, or biometric data.