Authentication is foundational for any modern app. However, getting it right is not a piece of cake. Developers can often make setup mistakes. At first, it seems like there is just a login form and a couple of tokens. But soon, there’s session handling, token expiration, multi-device access, role management, and a lot in between.
In short, gradually, things start to get messy. Knowing so, most developers still end up with scattered logic and patchy security. It’s not that they made errors while coding. Rather, it is just that the tricky parts of auth often show up late, usually when users or teams scale.
That’s why setting it up the smart way from the beginning matters. With that being said, in this article, we’re breaking down four prevalent authentication mistakes developers make and what you can do to avoid them. So, without further ado, dive into the article!
Reinventing the Wheel Instead of Following Best Practices
Building your own auth system seems tempting. It looks very easy on paper, right? Even after creating, the login page works, sessions seem stable, and it all looks simple.
But, wait, it works until things start to scale or security becomes a real concern. That’s when drawbacks begin to show. Some of the most common mistakes in DIY auth setups include:
- Weak or improperly hashed passwords.
- No rate limiting on login attempts.
- Unencrypted or poorly managed session tokens.
- Missing features like password resets or multi-factor authentication.
Hence, instead of coding every part from scratch, it makes more sense to rely on tools that already solve these problems well. SuperTokens is one such solution. It is built specifically for developers who want control without having to reinvent everything. It offers pre-built, extensible auth flows that handle sessions, passwordless login, social auth, and more.
The best part is that it performs all while still giving you full visibility into the code. If you’re considering it, the SuperTokens auth docs are a great place to start. They break down secure implementations of core flows, such as login, logout, and session handling, in a developer-friendly manner.
Skipping Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and XSS Protections
Side-channel attacks can undermine even the most secure login flows. If you skip CSRF and XSS protections, you’re leaving a gap that attackers can use to hijack sessions, steal tokens, or impersonate users. Here are some of the ways to patch it:
- Always include CSRF tokens on sensitive forms.
- Use secure, HTTP-only cookies with proper SameSite settings.
- Sanitise user input and employ Content Security Policies (CSP).
Using the SuperTokens SDK(#taking forward the platform mentioned above) ensures that CSRF handling is built in. It automatically issues anti-CSRF tokens and provides secure cookie settings by default. So, you can focus on business logic without missing standards.
Relying Solely on Basic Solutions
Many developers lean on built-in methods like simple password checks or basic session cookies. No doubt, they are very easy to implement. However, at the same time, these don’t cover essential features like token refresh, access control, or multi-factor protection.
These can create a nuisance over time, such as:
- User tokens expire without automatic renewal.
- No clear way to revoke access across sessions.
- Vulnerable to XSS or replay attacks.
Below are some of the foremost ways to fix them. Have a look at them!
- Explore options that include access/refresh tokens, automatic refreshing, encryption, and built-in CSRF protection.
- Implement token rotation and blocklist strategies.
At the end of the day, moving away from basic authentication saves time and enhances app resilience from day one.
Overcomplicating or Underscoping Roles and Permissions
Many apps start simple with a single role and expand permissions over time. However, improperly scoped token checks or missing enforcement can lead to serious security holes. Some common examples of pitfalls are as follows:
- Admin privileges are stored only in client-side tokens.
- Roles embedded in a stale JWT that are never updated.
- No runtime validation on sensitive Application Programming Interface calls.
Some of the best practices include:
- Define a clear role model: admin, editor, viewer, guest, etc.
- Store roles server-side or embed them in signed tokens.
- Validate roles on every request, not just once.
Also, you can take the help of available online sources to expand the information regarding what is prevalent these days.
To Sum It All Up!
Getting authentication right isn’t just about user login—it’s about longevity, security, and user trust. Avoiding the common setup mistakes can lead to success.
When in doubt, consult trusted resources. They provide all the best-practice structure a developer needs. Turns out, it lets you focus on app features, not authentication headaches.
