Company
Date Published
Author
Aeneas Rekkas
Word count
1822
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The article provides a comprehensive overview of best practices for implementing OAuth2 and OpenID Connect flows specifically tailored for mobile apps and single-page applications (SPAs). It emphasizes the importance of choosing the correct OAuth2 flow, cautioning against using outdated or insecure flows like the OAuth2 Resource Owner Password Credentials Flow due to its susceptibility to phishing attacks. Instead, it advocates for the OAuth2 Authorize Code Flow with Proof Key for Code Exchange (PKCE) for public clients, which enhances security by protecting against interception of authorization codes. The document also highlights the limitations of the OAuth2 Implicit Flow, noting its lack of refresh token capability and recommending the use of external user agents over embedded ones due to security concerns. Additionally, the article encourages developers to rely on established open-source technologies, such as Ory Hydra and AppAuth, to implement these protocols effectively and securely, avoiding the risks associated with developing custom solutions.