Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user. This is usually done by requiring the user to provide a username and password. The web application then checks to see if the username and password match a record in its database. Authenticating the user allows them to access the application.
Session management is the process of tracking the user’s activity while they are logged in. Typically, you achieve this by storing a session token on the user’s browser. The session token associates with the user’s account as a unique identifier. When the user requests the web application, the request sends the session token along with it. The web application then utilizes the session token to identify the user and assess their authorization to access the requested resource.
Data breaches: A growing threat to US businesses
- The mass hack of file transfer tool, MOVEit, has impacted more than 200 organizations and up to 17.5million individuals as of July 2023.
- On August 25th 2022, Last Pass, a password management provider used by over 30 million people, announced that a third-party had been able to infiltrate their network by accessing a compromised developer accou
- Analyst firm Gartner predicted that by 2025, 45% of global organizations will be impacted in some way by a supply chain attack.
- The cost of cybercrime is predicted to hit $8 trillion in 2023 and will grow to $10.5 trillion by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures’ “2022 Official Cybercrime Report,” sponsored by eSentire.
Authentication and session management: Why they matter
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user. This is typically done by requiring the user to provide a username and password. The web application then checks to see if the username and password match a record in its database. If they do, the application authenticates the user and grants access.
There are a number of different authentication methods that can be used, including:
Username and password:
This is the most common authentication method. Users must create a username and password, which they subsequently use to log in to the web application.Two-factor authentication (2FA):
2FA adds an extra layer of security to authentication by requiring users to provide two pieces of evidence before they can log in.Requiring the user to enter a code from a one-time password (OTP) generator or using a biometric authentication method, such as a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition, can accomplish this.Social login:
Social login allows users to log in to web applications using their existing social media accounts, such as Facebook, Google, or Twitter.
Session management
Session management is the process of tracking the user’s activity while they are logged in. Typically, this is done by storing a session token on the user’s browser. The session token associates with the user’s account as a unique identifier. When the user requests the web application, the request includes the session token. The web application then employs the session token to identify the user and ascertain their authorization to access the requested resource.
There are a number of different session management techniques that can be used, including:
Cookies:
Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on the user’s browser. You can use cookies to store the session token and other information about the user’s session.HTTP headers:
You can use HTTP headers to store the session token and other information about the user’s session.URL rewriting:
You can use URL rewriting to encode the session token in the URL of the user’s request.
Authentication and session management: Tips for improvement
Authentication
Authentication can be improved by using strong authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and public key infrastructure (PKI). 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two pieces of evidence before they can log in. To improve authentication, require users to enter a code from an OTP generator or use a biometric authentication method. PKI is a system that uses cryptography to create and manage digital certificates. Digital certificates can be used to authenticate users and devices.
In addition to using strong authentication methods, authentication can also be improved by:
Using strong passwords and password hashing:
Passwords should be at least 8 characters long and contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords should also be unique and not reused for other accounts. Store passwords using a secure hash function, such as bcrypt or Argon2.Preventing brute force attacks:
Brute force attacks are attempts to guess a user’s password by trying many different combinations. Implementing rate limiting and account lockout policies can prevent brute force attacks. Rate limiting restricts the number of login attempts that a single IP address can make within a given period of time. Account lockout policies lock out accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts.Mitigating phishing attacks:
Phishing attacks are attempts to trick users into revealing their passwords or other sensitive information.Educating users about phishing attacks and implementing security measures like email filtering and web filtering can mitigate phishing attacks.
Session management
Session management can be improved by using secure session tokens, implementing session timeouts, and monitoring for suspicious activity.
Secure session tokens are session tokens that are difficult for attackers to steal or forge.Generate session tokens using a cryptographically secure random number generator and store them encrypted on the user’s browser.
Session timeouts automatically log out users after a period of inactivity. This helps to prevent attackers from gaining access to abandoned sessions. Session timeouts should be set to a reasonable value. A session timeout that is too long could allow attackers to gain access to abandoned sessions. A session timeout that is too short could inconvenience users.
Monitoring for suspicious activity can help to identify and mitigate attacks against the authentication and session management systems. Suspicious activity can include things like failed login attempts, unusual user behavior, and unexpected changes to user accounts.
Staying Current: Authentication and Sessions
The rise of biometric authentication
Biometric authentication is becoming increasingly popular for authentication and session management because it is more difficult to steal or forge than traditional authentication methods, such as passwords and PINs. Using biometric authentication for more secure and convenient authentication is possible because it does not require users to remember or enter passwords.
Some common biometric authentication methods include:
Fingerprint scanning:
Fingerprint scanners use sensors to read the unique patterns of ridges and valleys on a person’s fingerprint.Facial recognition:
Facial recognition systems use cameras to capture images of a person’s face and then use algorithms to compare those images to a database of known faces.Iris scanning:
Iris scanners use cameras to capture images of a person’s iris, the colored ring around the pupil.Voice recognition:
Voice recognition systems use microphones to record a person’s voice and then use algorithms to compare those recordings to a database of known voices.
The increasing popularity of passwordless login methods
Passwordless login methods are becoming increasingly popular because they are more secure and easier to use than passwords. Passwordless login methods do not require users to create or remember passwords.
Some common passwordless login methods include:
Magic links:
Magic links are unique URLs that are sent to users in emails or text messages. When a user clicks on a magic link, the web application automatically logs them in.One-time passwords (OTPs):
OTPs are unique codes that are generated by authentication apps or sent to users in text messages. Users can log in to web applications without entering a password by using OTPs.
The adoption of new authentication protocols
More and more web applications are adopting new authentication protocols, such as OpenID Connect (OIDC) and OAuth 2.0, because they offer greater security and flexibility compared to traditional authentication protocols.
- OpenID Connect (OIDC) builds upon OAuth 2.0 and serves as an authentication protocol. OIDC provides a standardized way for web applications to authenticate users and obtain user information.
- OAuth 2.0 is an authorization protocol that allows web applications to obtain limited access to user accounts on other web applications.
The rise of identity and access management (IAM) as a service (aaS)
IAMaaS provides a cloud-based solution for managing user identities and access. They can help organizations to improve their security and compliance posture, and it can also save them time and money.
IAMaaS solutions typically provide a variety of features, such as:
User provisioning and deprovisioning:
IAMaaS solutions can automatically create and delete user accounts in web applications.Single sign-on (SSO):
SSO allows users to log in to multiple web applications using a single set of credentials.Multi-factor authentication (MFA):
MFA adds an extra layer of security to authentication by requiring users to provide two pieces of evidence before they can log in.User access control:
IAMaaS solutions can control which users have access to which resources.
The increasing focus on user experience
Authentication and session management systems are becoming more and more focused on user experience. This includes making it easier for users to log in and out, and providing them with more control over their privacy and security settings.
Some common user experience features for authentication and session management systems include:
Social login:
Social login allows users to log in to web applications using their existing social media accounts.Adaptive authentication:
Adaptive authentication adjusts the authentication process based on the user’s risk profile. For example, a user may be required to provide more authentication factors if they are logging in from an unknown device.Self-service password reset:
Self-service password reset allows users to reset their own passwords without having to contact customer support.
These are just a few of the industry trends in authentication and session management. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and secure authentication and session management solutions emerge.
Main Findings
Authentication and session management are critical components of web security. By following the best practices outlined in this blog post, you can help to protect your web applications from unauthorized access and attack.
If you need help implementing secure authentication and session management practices in your web applications, GeekyAnts can help. GeekyAnts is a leading provider of web development and app services. We can help you to design, implement, and test secure authentication and session management solutions that meet the specific needs of your web applications.
Contact GeekyAnts today to learn more about how we can help you to improve the security of your web applications.
