Authentication Best Practices in 2025

Authentication is critical for any web application. Let's explore the best practices for implementing secure authentication in 2025.

The Evolution of Auth

Authentication has evolved significantly:

• Passwords - Still common but increasingly problematic
• OAuth/Social Login - Delegating auth to trusted providers
• Magic Links - Passwordless email-based authentication
• Passkeys - The future of authentication

Implementing OAuth

OAuth allows users to sign in with existing accounts:

// Using Better Auth
import { betterAuth } from "better-auth";

export const auth = betterAuth({
  socialProviders: {
    github: {
      clientId: process.env.GITHUB_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GITHUB_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
    google: {
      clientId: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID!,
      clientSecret: process.env.GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET!,
    },
  },
});

Magic Links

Magic links provide a seamless passwordless experience:

1. User enters their email
2. Server generates a secure token
3. Email is sent with a login link
4. User clicks link and is authenticated

Session Management

Secure session handling is crucial:

• Use HTTP-only cookies
• Implement proper session expiration
• Support session revocation
• Consider refresh token rotation

Security Checklist

• Rate limit authentication endpoints
• Implement CSRF protection
• Use secure cookie settings
• Log authentication events
• Implement account lockout