Authentication vs Authorization: Key Differences
A clear breakdown of AuthN vs AuthZ: identity verification vs permission enforcement, with real system design examples.
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Tags: security, authentication, authorization
Authentication vs Authorization: Identity and Permissions Explained Every secure application relies on two distinct mechanisms that are often confused but serve entirely different purposes. Authentication answers the question "who are you?" while authorization answers "what are you allowed to do?" Conflating the two leads to security holes that attackers love to exploit. This guide untangles both concepts, explains the major models for each, and shows how OAuth scopes bridge them in modern applications. What Is Authentication? Authentication (AuthN) is the process of verifying identity. When you log into a service, you prove you are who you claim to be. The most common methods: Password-based: A shared secret between you and the server. Simple but vulnerable to phishing and credential…
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