Password
Authentication
Protocol
The Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) is a fundamental
security mechanism used to verify user identities and grant
access to systems and services.
It establishes a secure communication channel between a client
Ka
and a server, enabling reliable authentication and authorization.
Introduction to
Password
Authentication
• Passwords remain a widely used method for authentication
Protocol
due to their simplicity and widespread adoption.
• Effective password authentication relies on creating unique,
strong passwords that are resistant to guessing or cracking
attempts.
• Users must be educated on best practices for password
management, such as using a password manager, avoiding
reused or common passwords, and updating passwords
regularly.
Principles of Password
Authentication
1 Confidentiality 2 Uniqueness 3 Complexity
Passwords must be Each user should have Passwords should be
kept secret to prevent a unique password that sufficiently complex to
unauthorized access. is not shared with resist guessing or
others. brute-force attacks.
4 Periodic Updates 5 Multi-Factor
Passwords should be changed regularly Combining passwords with additional
to limit the window of vulnerability. authentication factors improves
security.
Importance of Secure Passwords
1 Protection 2 Privacy 3 Compliance
Secure passwords are Strong passwords help Many industries and
essential for protecting maintain the privacy regulations require the
sensitive information and confidentiality of use of secure
and preventing personal and financial passwords to meet
unauthorized access to data. security standards and
accounts and systems. safeguard data.
Importance of Secure
Authentication
1 Robust authentication is the 2 Securing authentication is
bedrock of cybersecurity, crucial to mitigate risks like
safeguarding digital assets data breaches, account
and user privacy. takeovers, and identity theft.
Effective authentication Strong authentication
protocols verify user mechanisms, such as hashing
identities, prevent and multi-factor verification
unauthorized access, and password, are essential to
build trust in online systems. protect against evolving cyber
threats.
3 Implementing these best practices enhances the overall security
posture and ensures the integrity of sensitive information.
Password Hashing and Salting
• To enhance the security of stored passwords,
organizations employ password hashing and
salting techniques.
• Hashing converts a password into a unique,
fixed-length string of characters using a
cryptographic algorithm, making it nearly
impossible to reverse-engineer the original
password.
• Salting adds a random string of characters
to each password before hashing,
significantly increasing the complexity and
security of the hashed passwords.
• This protects against rainbow table attacks
and ensures that even identical passwords
are stored as unique hashes.
Password Strength & Complexity
Length Matters Mixed Character Types
Longer passwords are exponentially more Passwords should include a combination of
secure than shorter ones. Aim for at least uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and
12 characters to withstand brute-force special characters. This increases the
attacks. password's entropy and makes it harder to
guess.
Avoid Common Patterns Periodic Updates
Steer clear of easily guessable patterns Regularly changing passwords, even
like sequential numbers, common words, strong ones, reduces the window of
or personal information. These are vulnerability if a breach occurs.
vulnerable to dictionary attacks.
Two-Factor Authentication
Improved Security Convenient Hardware Security
Implementation Keys
Two-factor authentication Many popular apps and Physical security keys
adds an extra layer of services now offer provide the strongest form of
security by requiring a convenient two-factor two-factor authentication,
second verification method authentication options that requiring the user to have
beyond just a password, such are easy for users to set up the physical key in addition
as a one-time code sent to a and use, enhancing the to their password to log in.
mobile device. overall security of accounts.
Password Management Strategies
Password Manager Multi-Factor Authentication
Use a secure password manager to store Enabling two-factor or multi-factor
unique, complex passwords for all your authentication adds an extra layer of
accounts. This eliminates the need to security beyond just a password, making it
remember dozens of passwords. much harder for attackers to gain access.
Password Audits Password Policies
Regularly review and update your Establish and enforce strong password
passwords, especially for important policies within your organization to ensure
accounts. Identify weak or reused all employees follow best practices for
passwords and replace them with stronger creating and managing passwords.
alternatives.
Password Policies and Best
Practices
Regular Updates
Require users to change passwords at regular intervals to minimize
the risk of compromise.
Password Complexity
Enforce strong password composition rules, such as minimum length
and character requirements.
Password Reuse Prevention
Prohibit the use of previously used passwords and detect common
password patterns.
Biometric Authentication as an
Alternative
Fingerprint Facial Recognition Iris Scanning
Fingerprint scanners provide Facial recognition systems Iris scanning technology
a secure and convenient way use advanced algorithms to analyzes the unique pattern
to authenticate users. verify user identity. of the human iris for
authentication.
Challenges and Vulnerabilities
1 Password Guessing Attacks 2 Password Reuse Risks
Weak or commonly used passwords are Users often reuse the same password
vulnerable to brute-force and dictionary across multiple accounts, creating a
attacks, where hackers systematically domino effect where a single breach can
try common passwords to gain compromise many of their other
unauthorized access. accounts.
3 Insider Threats 4 Phishing and Social Engineering
Malicious insiders with legitimate access Attackers may use deceptive tactics like
to password databases can exploit their fake emails or websites to trick users
privileges to steal sensitive data and into revealing their login credentials,
compromise organizational security. bypassing password protections.
Questions?
What is OAuth?
• OAuth is an open standard for authorization that allows users
to grant limited access to their resources, such as photos,
videos, or calendar events, without having to reveal their login
credentials.
• It is a widely adopted protocol that enables a third-party
application to obtain limited access to a user's data on
another web server, without exposing the user's password.
OAuth Concept
• The key concept behind OAuth is the separation of the role of
the client (the third-party application that wants to access the
user's data) from the role of the resource owner (the user).
• Instead of the client accessing the user's data directly, the
client obtains an access token from an authorization server,
which grants the client limited access on behalf of the user.
• This access token can then be used by the client to access the
protected resources on the resource server.
OAuth Authorization Flow
Authorization Request Access Token Issuance
The client application requests The authorization server verifies
access to the resource owner's the user's consent and issues an
data by redirecting the user to access token to the client
the authorization server. application.
1 2 3 4
User Authorization Resource Access
The resource owner reviews the The client application uses the
request and grants or denies access token to access the
permission for the client to protected resources on behalf of
access their data. the resource owner.
OAuth Grants
In the OAuth flow, the authorization grant is the mechanism by which the client application obtains
an access token from the authorization server. There are several different types of authorization
grants, each with their own strengths and use cases.
1. Authorization Code Grant: This is where the client app exchanges an authorization code for
an access token.
2. Implicit Grant: A simplified flow for client-side apps, where the access token is returned
directly without an authorization code exchange.
3. Client Credentials Grant: Used by server-to-server applications to access their own
resources, without a user involved.
4. Resource Owner Password Credentials Grant: Allows a client to exchange a user's
credentials for an access token
OAuth Roles and Actors
1. Resource Owner: The user or entity that grants access
to their protected resources.
2. Client: The application that requests access to the resource
owner's data.
3. Authorization Server: The server that
authenticates the resource owner and issues
access tokens to the client.
4. Resource Server: The server that hosts the
protected resources and accepts access tokens
from the client.
OAuth Access Tokens
• Access tokens are the core of the OAuth protocol.
• They are issued by the authorization server and used by the client to access protected
resources on behalf of the resource owner.
• These tokens are short-lived, secure credentials that grant limited access, ensuring the client
never sees the user's actual login details.
Refresh Tokens
• Refresh tokens are an essential component of the OAuth protocol, complementing the short-lived access tokens. While access
tokens are used to grant the client application limited and time-bound access to the user's protected resources, refresh tokens
are long-lived credentials that the client can use to obtain new access tokens when the current one expires.
• The primary function of a refresh token is to allow the client application to request a new access token without requiring the
user to re-authenticate and re-authorize the application.
• When the client's access token expires, it can use the refresh token to make a direct request to the authorization server, which
will then issue a new access token.
• This process helps maintain the user's session and reduces the friction associated with repeatedly authenticating the user.
• Refresh tokens are typically stored securely on the client application's server, as they provide the ability to obtain new access
tokens indefinitely.
• They are long-lived, often with expiration times ranging from days to months, depending on the specific implementation and the
level of trust between the client application and the authorization server.
• The use of refresh tokens improves the security of the OAuth flow by reducing the need for the user to frequently re-
authenticate, which can mitigate the risk of credential exposure or other security vulnerabilities.
OAuth Security
Considerations
• OAuth introduces several security considerations to ensure
the protection of user data and the integrity of the
authorization process.
• Proper implementation of OAuth is crucial to mitigate risks
such as token theft, replay attacks, and authorization code
leakage.
• Strict adherence to the OAuth protocol, secure token storage,
and end-to-end encryption are essential to safeguard the
system.
• Regular security audits and updates can help identify and
address emerging vulnerabilities.
OAuth Implementations
OAuth is a flexible and adaptable protocol that has been widely implemented across a variety of platforms and services. While
the core concepts of OAuth remain the same, different organizations and developers have tailored the implementation to suit
their specific needs and requirements. Understanding the different OAuth implementations can help organizations choose the
right approach for their applications and ensure seamless integration with their existing systems.
Microsoft Google OAuth Facebook GitHub OAuth
OAuth OAuth
GitHub's OAuth
Microsoft has Google's OAuth Facebook's OAuth
implementation is
implemented OAuth implementation is implementation is
used to authorize
as the primary widely used for primarily used for
third-party
authentication and integrating third- enabling third-party
applications to
authorization party applications applications to
access a user's
mechanism for its with Google access user data
GitHub data and
cloud services, services, such as and perform actions
perform actions on
including Azure, Gmail, Google on behalf of the
their behalf, such as
Office 365, and Drive, and Google user, such as
accessing
Microsoft Graph.. Calendar. posting to the
repositories,
user's timeline or
creating issues, or
accessing their
managing account
profile information.
settings.
Benefits of Using OAuth
1. Enhanced Security: OAuth's core principles of token-based authorization and minimal
privilege access help mitigate the risks associated with password-based authentication.
By delegating access control to an authorized third-party, organizations can reduce the
exposure of sensitive user credentials and minimize the potential for data breaches or
unauthorized access to protected resources.
2. Improved User Experience: The OAuth flow seamlessly integrates with user
authentication and authorization processes, providing a familiar and streamlined
experience for end-users. By allowing users to grant limited access to their data without
revealing their login credentials, OAuth eliminates the need for users to repeatedly
authenticate with each new application, improving overall user satisfaction and reducing
friction in the application integration process.
3. Ecosystem Collaboration: OAuth enables a thriving ecosystem of interconnected
applications and services, where users can securely share their data and leverage the
capabilities of third-party tools without compromising their privacy or security. This open
and standardized approach fosters greater collaboration, innovation, and the
development of more feature-rich and valuable applications for end-users.
Limitations and Challenges of
OAuth
• While OAuth offers many benefits, it also presents some limitations and challenges.
• Complexity can make it difficult to implement correctly, potentially introducing security
vulnerabilities. Maintaining compatibility across different OAuth versions and provider
implementations can be challenging.
• OAuth does not provide strong authentication on its own, relying on the authorization server to
verify user identities. This can introduce risks if the authorization server's security practices
are insufficient.
Questions?
What is OpenID?
• OpenID is an open standard for decentralized authentication,
allowing users to log in to websites using a single digital
identity.
• It enables users to control their personal information and how
it is shared across the web.
How does OpenID work?
1. Users create an OpenID account with a provider, such as Google or Microsoft.
2. When a user wants to log in to a website that accepts OpenID, they enter their OpenID URL
or select their provider.
3. The website (known as a "relying party") redirects the user to the OpenID provider's authentication page.
4. The user authenticates with the provider, who then verifies the user's identity and sends
an assertion back to the relying party.
5. The relying party receives the assertion and logs the user in, without ever seeing the
user's sensitive login credentials.
Benefits of using OpenID
Convenience Privacy Protection
OpenID allows users to sign in to multiple OpenID keeps user data decentralized,
websites using a single digital identity, giving users more control over their
eliminating the need to remember personal information and how it is shared
numerous usernames and passwords. across the web.
Improved Security Reduced Administration
OpenID authentication is based on Websites that implement OpenID can
industry-standard cryptography, outsource user authentication to trusted
reducing the risk of password-related OpenID providers, simplifying their own
security breaches and identity theft. infrastructure and reducing maintenance
costs.
OpenID Authentication Flow
User Initiation 1
The user clicks the "Login with
OpenID" button on a website that
supports OpenID authentication. 2 Redirection
The website (relying party) redirects
the user to the OpenID provider's
Authentication 3 authentication page.
The user signs in to the OpenID
provider using their existing
credentials, such as a username and 4 Identity Verification
password. The OpenID provider validates the
user's identity and sends an
Authorization 5 authentication assertion back to the
The relying party receives the relying party.
assertion, verifies it, and then logs
the user in to their website.
OpenID Security and Privacy
Considerations
Encryption and Authentication User Consent and Control
OpenID leverages industry-standard OpenID gives users the ability to control
cryptographic protocols, such as HTTPS what personal information is shared with
and TLS, to ensure secure transmission of relying parties, empowering them to make
user data and prevent eavesdropping or informed decisions about their online
tampering during the authentication privacy.
process.
Identity Provider Trust Phishing Resistance
The security and privacy of OpenID OpenID's direct authentication with the
depends on the trustworthiness and identity provider helps mitigate the risk of
reliability of the identity provider. Users phishing attacks, where users are tricked
must carefully evaluate the provider's into revealing their credentials on fake
privacy policies and security practices. websites.
OpenID Use Cases and Adoption
E-commerce Enterprise Social Media Government
Integration Single Sign-On Integration and Public
Services
OpenID enables Large organizations Social media Government
seamless login for leverage OpenID to platforms integrate agencies and
online shoppers, provide secure, OpenID to allow public service
eliminating the centralized users to sign in providers use
need to create authentication for with their existing OpenID to
separate accounts their employees, digital identities, authenticate
on each e- improving enhancing user citizens, enabling
commerce site. productivity and experience and secure access to
reducing IT driving adoption. online portals and
overhead. reducing identity
Challenges and Limitations of
OpenID
• Adoption and awareness remain issues, as users and websites may be unfamiliar with the
technology.
• Federated identity also introduces trust and security concerns, as users must rely on third-
party providers to protect their data.
• User privacy is also a concern, as providers may track user activity or expose personal
information without consent.
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