20 Authentication Interview Questions and Answers

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user. In the context of an interview, questions about authentication usually focus on the methods and technologies used to verify the identity of a user. As a candidate, it is important that you are familiar with the different types of authentication methods and are able to discuss the pros and cons of each. In this article, we will review some of the most common authentication interview questions and provide guidance on how to answer them.

Authentication Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Authentication interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What are some common authentication methods?

Some common authentication methods include username and password, two-factor authentication, and biometric authentication.

2. What is the difference between authentication and authorization?

Authentication is the process of verifying that a user is who they say they are, while authorization is the process of verifying that a user has the permissions necessary to access a particular resource. In other words, authentication is about verifying identity, while authorization is about verifying permissions.

3. Can you explain what a password manager is?

A password manager is a software application that helps a user store and organize their passwords. Password managers typically include features such as the ability to generate strong passwords, store passwords in an encrypted format, and provide a way to easily retrieve passwords. Some password managers also include additional features such as the ability to fill in web form data and credit card information.

4. How can you protect yourself from phishing attacks?

Phishing attacks are a type of social engineering attack in which the attacker attempts to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. To protect yourself from phishing attacks, you should be aware of the common techniques used by attackers and be suspicious of any unsolicited communication that asks you to provide personal or financial information. You should also never click on links or open attachments from unknown or untrustworthy sources. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a communication, you can contact the sender directly to verify its authenticity.

5. What do you understand about a federated identity infrastructure?

A federated identity infrastructure is a system that allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials. This can be accomplished by integrating with an existing identity provider, such as Active Directory, or by using a third-party service, such as Auth0. Federated identity can simplify the process of managing multiple accounts and passwords, and can provide a more seamless experience for users.

6. What’s the best way to secure your passwords without having to remember them all?

The best way to secure your passwords is to use a password manager. This way, you only have to remember one master password, and the password manager will take care of the rest. There are many different password managers available, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best suits your needs.

7. What are some of the most trusted two-factor authentication apps for mobile devices?

Some of the most trusted two-factor authentication apps for mobile devices include Authy, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator.

8. Is it possible to use an email address as a form of two-factor authentication? If yes, then how? If no, why not?

Yes, it is possible to use an email address as a form of two-factor authentication. This can be done by sending a code to the user’s email address that they will need to enter in order to login. This adds an extra layer of security, as the user will not be able to login without access to their email account.

9. What is a hardware token? Do you think this is a good multi-factor authentication method? Why or why not?

A hardware token is a physical device that is used to generate a one-time password (OTP) or code that is then used to authenticate a user. This is considered a good multi-factor authentication method because it requires something that the user has (the hardware token) in addition to something that the user knows (their password). This makes it more difficult for an attacker to gain access to a user’s account.

10. What is FIDO 2.0?

FIDO 2.0 is a new authentication standard that uses public-key cryptography to verify user identities. This makes it more secure than traditional password-based authentication methods. FIDO 2.0 is also designed to be interoperable, so that different devices and services can all use the same authentication method.

11. What does OAuth stand for? What is its purpose?

OAuth stands for Open Authentication. It is an open standard for authorization that allows users to share their private data with third-party applications without having to share their login credentials. OAuth is used by many popular websites and applications, including Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

12. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Kerberos for authentication?

Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that uses secret-key cryptography to provide strong authentication for client/server applications. The advantage of using Kerberos is that it is a very secure way to authenticate users and devices on a network. The disadvantage is that it can be complex to set up and manage.

13. What is LDAP? How does it work?

LDAP, or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, is a way to authenticate users against a central directory. LDAP is typically used to authenticate against a corporate directory, but it can also be used to authenticate against a local directory on a server. LDAP works by binding to the directory with a username and password, and then searching the directory for the user’s information. If the user’s information is found, then the LDAP server will return it to the client.

14. What are the differences between TLS and SSL? Which one would you recommend in certain situations?

TLS (Transport Layer Security) and SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) are both protocols that can be used to encrypt communication between two parties. TLS is the more modern protocol, and is thus more secure. However, SSL is still widely used and is considered to be secure enough for most purposes. In general, TLS is the better choice, but SSL may be preferable in certain situations where compatibility is an issue.

15. Can you explain what a certificate authority is?

A certificate authority is a trusted third party that issues digital certificates. These certificates are used to verify the identity of a person or entity. A certificate authority issues a certificate after verifying the identity of the person or entity requesting it.

16. What are some examples of modern authentication protocols that provide better security than simple usernames and passwords?

Some examples of modern authentication protocols that provide better security than simple usernames and passwords are two-factor authentication, biometric authentication, and hardware-based authentication. Two-factor authentication requires the user to provide two different pieces of information in order to log in, such as a password and a one-time code generated by a hardware token. Biometric authentication uses physical characteristics, such as a fingerprint or iris scan, to verify the user’s identity. Hardware-based authentication uses a physical device, such as a USB key, to verify the user’s identity.

17. What’s the difference between HTTPS and HTTP?

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, meaning that all communications between the web server and the web browser are encrypted. This makes it much more difficult for someone to eavesdrop on the communications and steal sensitive information.

18. What are some ways to protect users from session hijacking and man-in-the-middle attacks?

There are a few ways to protect users from session hijacking and man-in-the-middle attacks. One way is to use SSL/TLS to encrypt communication between the user and the server. Another way is to use a strong authentication method, such as two-factor authentication. Finally, you can also use session tokens to ensure that each session is unique and cannot be reused by an attacker.

19. What is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)? How can we prevent it?

CSRF is a type of attack in which a malicious user tricks a victim into submitting a request to a website without their knowledge or consent. This can be done by embedding a malicious link or form on a website that the victim visits. To prevent CSRF attacks, we can use a number of different techniques, such as requiring a unique token for all requests, or using a CAPTCHA.

20. What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-Factor Authentication is a method of authentication that requires the use of more than one factor to verify the identity of a user. This could include something that the user knows, like a password, something that the user has, like a physical token, or something that the user is, like a fingerprint. By using multiple factors, it becomes much more difficult for an attacker to gain access to a user’s account.