Lädt...


🔧 Understanding Web Authentication: Sessions vs. JWTs


Nachrichtenbereich: 🔧 Programmierung
🔗 Quelle: dev.to

When building secure web applications, choosing the right authentication mechanism is crucial. Today, we’re exploring two widely used approaches: session-based authentication and JSON Web Tokens (JWTs). By understanding their workflows, advantages, and trade-offs, you’ll be equipped to decide which one suits your application best.

Session-Based Authentication

Here’s how session-based authentication works:

  1. Login and Session Creation:

    • The user sends login credentials to the server.
    • The server verifies them and, if valid, creates a session.
    • Session data (e.g., user ID, expiration time) is stored on the server in a database or cache like Redis.
  2. Session ID:

    • The server sends a unique session ID to the client, usually as a cookie.
  3. Subsequent Requests:

    • The client automatically sends the session ID cookie with each request.
    • The server uses this ID to retrieve session data and authenticate the user.

Session Authentication

Key Benefits:

  • Easy Revocation: A session can be invalidated anytime by deleting the session data.
  • Centralized Security: Sensitive information stays on the server.

Challenges:

  • Distributed Systems: In multi-server environments, all servers need access to the same session data, requiring a centralized session store like Redis.
  • Added Latency: Fetching session data adds overhead to each request.

JWT-Based Authentication

JWTs take a different approach:

  1. Login and Token Generation:

    • The user sends login credentials to the server.
    • The server verifies them and generates a signed JWT containing user data.
    • The client stores the JWT (e.g., in local storage or a cookie).
  2. Subsequent Requests:

    • The client sends the JWT in request headers.
    • The server verifies the token’s signature and uses its data for authentication.

Token Authentication

Key Benefits:

  • Stateless and Scalable: No session data is stored on the server, making JWTs ideal for horizontally scalable applications.
  • Inter-Service Compatibility: In microservice architectures, services can trust the data in a verified JWT without querying the authentication service.

Challenges:

  • Token Expiration: If stolen, a JWT is valid until it expires.
  • Security Trade-Offs: The server must implement mechanisms like refresh tokens to improve security.

JWT Security: Choosing the Right Signing Algorithm

  • HMAC: A symmetric key is used for signing and verification. Simple but requires sharing the key, which may pose risks.
  • RSA/ECDSA: Asymmetric keys ensure the private key signs tokens while the public key verifies them, enhancing security for distributed systems.

When to Use Each Method

Session-Based Authentication:

  • Ideal when you need immediate session revocation.
  • Suited for applications with a centralized data store.
  • Keeps sensitive data on the server, enhancing security.

JWT-Based Authentication:

  • Best for stateless, scalable architectures.
  • Useful in microservices or when sharing authentication data with third-party services.
  • Pair JWTs with refresh tokens for a balance of security and user experience.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your application’s architecture, scaling requirements, and security needs. Whether you go with sessions or JWTs, understanding these mechanisms ensures a secure and seamless user experience.

...

🔧 Understanding Web Authentication: Sessions vs. JWTs


📈 51.62 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 How to Implement JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) in PHP – PHP Authentication Guide


📈 31.93 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 How to Implement JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) in PHP – PHP Authentication Guide


📈 31.93 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Implement Authentication with Node.js using JWTs


📈 28.68 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 What's the Difference Between Session-Based Authentication and JWTs?


📈 28.68 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Authentication in React with JWTs, Access & Refresh Tokens


📈 28.68 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 JSON Web Tokens (JWTs): A Comprehensive Guide


📈 26.95 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 HTTP Authentication: Understanding Tokens, Sessions, and OAuth 2.0


📈 24.67 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 LinkedIn Explains: How To Secure Your JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Combining the benefits of session tokens and JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 JWTs Explained: Benefits and Drawbacks for Developers


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 When should I use JWTs?


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 A Guide to JWTs: Signing with RS256 Made Simple.


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Microservice Security with CSRF Tokens and JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 A Practical Approach to Quantum-Resistant JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 DarkSky to WeatherKit: from API keys to signed JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 How JWTs Could Be Dangerous and Its Alternatives


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 The What, the How, and the Why of JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Frontend Session Management: From Cookies to JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Supabase Auth Itroduces Asymmetric JWTs


📈 23.7 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Understanding Web Functionality: Server-Side, Client-Side, State, and Sessions


📈 22.93 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Understanding Cookies and Sessions in React


📈 19.69 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 How to Set Up Sessions and Authentication in Express.js Fast and Easy


📈 18.29 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 Understanding JSON Web Tokens (JWT) and Their Use in Web Authentication


📈 17.85 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 A Guide to Web Storage: LocalStorage, Sessions, Cookies & More


📈 16.56 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🔧 A Guide to Web Storage: LocalStorage, Sessions, Cookies & More


📈 16.56 Punkte
🔧 Programmierung

🎥 Challenges in the Browser & Securing Web Sessions - Scott Petry - BSW #152


📈 16.56 Punkte
🎥 IT Security Video

📰 Überwachung privilegierter Sessions bei Web-Apps, Cloud- und Social-Media


📈 16.56 Punkte
📰 IT Security Nachrichten

📰 DUHK Attack Lets Hackers Recover Encryption Key Used in VPNs & Web Sessions


📈 16.56 Punkte
📰 IT Security Nachrichten

📰 VPN, Web Sessions Exposed to DUHK Crypto Attack


📈 16.56 Punkte
📰 IT Security Nachrichten

matomo