HTTP Basic Authentication

HTTP Basic Authentication is a simple Authentication method built into the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) protocol. It requires users to provide a username and password, which are encoded in Base64 and sent with each request to verify the user’s identity.

In HTTP Basic Authentication, credentials are passed in the HTTP header of each request. While Base64 Encoding is used, this does not encrypt the data, making it susceptible to interception. Basic Authentication is best suited for scenarios where security requirements are minimal or where connections are protected by HTTPS.

The purpose of HTTP Basic Authentication is to provide a straightforward way to restrict access to web resources. It is easy to implement and is often used in API access, Web Servers, and for simple applications where user verification is required but complex security is unnecessary.

HTTP Basic Authentication is implemented by adding an 'Authorization' header to HTTP requests. The header includes the word 'Basic' followed by the Base64-encoded username and password (e.g., 'Authorization: Basic dXNlcjpwYXNzd29yZA=='). Web Servers check these credentials against their records to allow or deny access. Basic Authentication should be used over HTTPS to protect credentials from interception.

Examples of HTTP Basic Authentication include securing an internal API by requiring a username and password or setting up restricted areas on a website, such as admin pages, that require users to log in. Some software management consoles also use Basic Authentication to limit access to authorised users.

HTTP Basic Authentication has notable security limitations, as credentials are only encoded, not encrypted, and can be intercepted in transit without HTTPS. It also lacks Session Management and requires users to re-enter credentials frequently. For sensitive applications, more secure Authentication methods like OAuth or token-based Authentication are recommended.