Basic Authentication

Basic Authentication is a simple HTTP authentication scheme where a client sends a username and password encoded in Base64 format in the Authorization header of an HTTP request. It is a widely supported method for securing web APIs and resources, though it transmits credentials in plain text unless used over HTTPS. This makes it easy to implement but less secure compared to modern alternatives without additional encryption.

Also known as: Basic Auth, HTTP Basic Auth, Basic Access Authentication, Base64 Authentication, Basic Auth Scheme

Why learn Basic Authentication?

Developers should learn Basic Authentication for quick prototyping, testing APIs, or in scenarios where simplicity and broad compatibility are prioritized over high security, such as internal tools or legacy systems. It is commonly used in conjunction with HTTPS to encrypt the credentials in transit, making it suitable for low-risk applications or as a fallback mechanism in multi-factor authentication setups.

Learning Resources

• docs: MDN Web Docs: HTTP Authentication
• docs: RFC 7617: The 'Basic' HTTP Authentication Scheme
• tutorial: Basic Authentication Tutorial on Auth0
• video: YouTube: Basic Authentication Explained
• tutorial: Real Python: HTTP Basic Auth in Python