What is basic authentication and how does it work?

What is basic authentication and how does it work?

Basic authentication is a simple authentication scheme built into the HTTP protocol. It involves sending a username and password with each request.

Is it secure to use basic authentication?

Basic authentication is not very secure on its own, as credentials are sent in an easily decodable format. It's best used over HTTPS.

How can I implement basic authentication in my web application?

You can implement basic authentication by setting the Authorization header in your HTTP requests with the base64-encoded username and password.

Are there better alternatives to basic authentication?

Yes, alternatives like OAuth and token-based authentication provide better security and flexibility for modern applications.