What is authentication?

It helps to block unauthorized access, impersonation, and misuse of the app messaging system. Common forms of in-app authentication include two-factor authentication (2FA), password-based authentication, social media integrations (like OAth), and more.

Components of authentication

• User credentials: Usernames, email addresses, and passwords are examples of authentication credentials that prove a user’s identity as they access the app. User credentials are stored securely and compared against the values the authentication process expects.

• Authentication mechanisms: This can include password-based authentication, social media integrations (e.g., OAth), or two-factor authentication (2FA), that uses a secondary authentication factor, a temporary code sent via SMS, to ensure security. Another mechanism is token-based authentication, which provides users with a valid token and then uses the pre-existing token to validate the user’s identity.

• Transmission: Secure transmission protocols ensure the privacy of user credentials during authentication. These protocols encrypt the data exchanged between app and server to prevent interception or unauthorized access. Secure transmission protocols include HTTPs (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) or SSL/TLS (Transport Layer Security/Secure Socket Layer).

• User identity management: The best messaging platforms include user identity management features, allowing you to modify access controls, user registration, and user profiles. In certain cases, these features allow administrators and users to manage the settings, permissions, and accounts related to in-app authentication.

Authentication measures are essential to the privacy and security of an app. Communications APIs like those from Sendbird and other leading providers include the necessary authentication mechanisms within the API documentation. This way, developers have everything they need to ensure secure access and block unauthorized API traffic.