Authentication vs Authorization These two terms are often used interchangeably. They shouldn't be...Authentication vs Authorization These two terms are often used interchangeably. They shouldn't be...
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Anyadi's avatar
Anyadi Onyekachukwu
• Sep 3
Authentication vs Authorization
These two terms are often used interchangeably.
They shouldn't be.
Authentication answers:
“Who are you?”
Authorization answers:
“What are you allowed to do?”
For example:
A user logs into your application.
That is authentication.
Your application then checks whether that user can access an admin dashboard, delete a record, or manage another user's account.
That is authorization.
A user being authenticated does not automatically mean they are authorized to perform every action.
This distinction becomes critical as applications grow.
Authentication proves identity.
Authorization controls access.
Get the difference right early, because security problems often start when these two concepts are treated as the same thing.
#WebDevelopment #Authentication #Authorization #SoftwareEngineering
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