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 * Beeceptor Feature Documentation
 * Use Cases & Tutorials
 * Account Management
 * Beeceptor API Documentation
 * Building Blocks For Web
   * HTTP Endpoints - Basic Building Blocks
   * HTTP Methods - The Cornerstone of Web Communication
   * HTTP Headers - The Metadata Of The Web
   * HTTP Header - Authorization
   * HTTP Header - Accept-Encoding
   * HTTP Headers - Comprehensive List
   * HTTP Status Codes - The Sign Code Language
   * HTTP Status Codes - 401 vs 403
   * Content Types - The Web's Data Dialogues
   * HTTP Cookies - Intricacies & Limitations
   * Web Data Serialization (JSON, XML, YAML)
   * JSON - Beyond the Basics
   * Cross-Origin Resource Sharing
   * CRUD Operations
   * JWT Tokens
   * Rest API - Must Know
   * SOAP APIs
   * API Errors
   * Rest APIs vs. SOAP Services
   * JSON With Padding (JSONP)

 * 
 * Building Blocks For Web
 * HTTP Header - Authorization

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AUTHORIZATION HTTP HEADER


WHAT IS THE AUTHORIZATION HEADER?

The Authorization header is a part of the HTTP request headers used in
client-server communications. Its primary function is to authenticate a
user-agent with a server, typically by carrying credentials in the form of a
token or a set of credentials like username and password. This header is
fundamental in implementing security measures for web applications and APIs.

The Authorization header follows a specific structure:

Authorization: <type> <credentials>



 * Type: This is the authentication scheme, such as Basic, Bearer, Digest, etc.
   It indicates the method used for encoding or handling the credentials.
 * Credentials: These are the actual authentication tokens or encoded user
   credentials. The format and content depend on the authentication scheme.




COMMON AUTHORIZATION SCHEMES

Authorization SchemeSecurity LevelTypical UsageSpecific
ConsiderationsLimitationsBasic AuthenticationLowSimple internal applications,
testingBase64 encoding of credentials; requires HTTPS for securityEasily
decoded; not suitable for sensitive dataBearer AuthenticationMedium to
HighModern web applications, OAuth 2.0Secure token storage and management; use
of HTTPS essentialToken theft risk; requires robust token managementDigest
AuthenticationMediumMore secure alternative to Basic AuthUses MD5 hashing and
nonce values; more secure than BasicVulnerable to certain attacks; less secure
than modern token-based systemsOAuthHighThird-party resource accessComplex
implementation; secure management of tokens and redirect URIsCan be complex to
implement; potential security pitfalls if not correctly configuredAPI
KeysMediumAPI client identificationShould be kept confidential; often included
in HTTP headersBroad access if compromised; not user-specificJWT (JSON Web
Tokens)Medium to HighSingle sign-on (SSO), information exchangeUse of strong
signing algorithms; validation of token integrity; secure
transmissionSusceptible to attacks if not properly validated; requires secure
transmission methods


EXAMPLES

HTTPS scheme should always be used when using authentication.

Authorization SchemeExampleDescriptionBasic AuthenticationAuthorization: Basic
QWxhZGRpbjpPcGVuU2VzYW1lUses a username and password encoded in Base64. It's
simple but less secure, making HTTPS essential.Bearer
AuthenticationAuthorization: Bearer <token>Utilizes a bearer token, often
provided after an initial login. This method is stateless and secure with
HTTPS.Digest AuthenticationAuthorization: Digest username="Mufasa", ...Enhances
Basic Authentication by using MD5 hashing of the credentials. It's more secure
than Basic but still less preferred than token-based methods.OAuthAuthorization:
Bearer <access_token>A framework for token-based access to resources on behalf
of a resource owner. It allows for secure delegated access.API
KeysAuthorization: Apikey 123456789abcdefUnique identifiers used to authenticate
a user, developer, or calling program to an API. Simpler than OAuth, but should
be protected as carefully as passwords.JWT (JSON Web Tokens)Authorization:
Bearer <JWT_token>A compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be
transferred between two parties. It allows for stateless authentication and
secure data exchange. A JWT is composed of three parts, separated by dots (.),
which are: Header, Payload and Signature. A JWT contains all the necessary
information about the user, eliminating the need to query the database more than
once.


SECURITY CONSIDERATION DURING IMPLEMENTATION

Implementing authorization schemes securely is crucial to protect sensitive data
and maintain the integrity of web applications. Here are the top five
implementation considerations for the common authorization schemes:

 * Use HTTPS for Secure Transmission: Regardless of the authorization scheme
   used, always ensure that communications occur over HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer
   Protocol Secure).

 * Token Security and Management: For schemes involving tokens (like Bearer
   Authentication and JWT), it's essential to implement secure token generation,
   storage, and management. This includes using strong, unpredictable tokens,
   short-lived, and implementing proper expiration and revocation mechanisms.

 * Robust Validation and Error Handling: Implement strong validation on the
   server side for any incoming credentials or tokens. This includes verifying
   the integrity and authenticity of tokens, ensuring that credentials are not
   tampered with, and checking for expiration or revocation.

 * Secure Storage of Credentials: If using Basic or Digest Authentication, where
   credentials are involved, ensure that these credentials are stored securely
   on the server side. This typically involves hashing passwords using a strong,
   one-way hashing algorithm and implementing salt to guard against rainbow
   table attacks. Never store plain-text passwords.

 * Regular Security Audits and Updates: Regularly audit the security of your
   authentication implementation. This includes keeping up with the latest
   security advisories and updates for any frameworks or libraries used in the
   authentication process.


HTTP STATUS CODES

The standard HTTP communication (or Rest APIs) use HTTP status codes for
communicating the authentication status. Here is a list of common HTTP status
codes related to the authentication process.

 * 200 OK: The request is validated, and found to have right access rights, and
   the server has responded with the requested resource.
 * 401 Unauthorized: The client request lacks valid authentication credentials.
   The server requires authentication, typically prompting the user to log in,
   and these should be sent in the Authorization header.
 * 403 Forbidden: The client is authenticated but does not have permission to
   access the requested resource. This indicates a lack of sufficient
   authorization by the client/user. In short, he needs additional permissions
   to access the resource.
 * 429 Too Many Requests: When the client sends too many requests in a short
   period, the server may may indicate rate limiting. The 429 status code is
   used for this purpose. The client should wait for the suggest period to make
   further API or HTTP calls.

Tags:
 * Learnings

Previous
HTTP Headers - The Metadata Of The Web
Next
HTTP Header - Accept-Encoding
 * What is the Authorization Header?
 * Common Authorization Schemes
   * Examples
 * Security Consideration During Implementation
 * HTTP Status Codes

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