React Broken Authentication Guide: Examples and Prevention

Implementing effective authentication and session management in React applications is crucial to avoid vulnerabilities that can lead to broken authentication, allowing attackers to exploit user accounts. Developers often overlook real-world scenarios where users might leave their accounts logged in on public devices or networks, creating security risks. To counteract this, developers can implement client-side techniques such as mapping session IDs to device IDs and locations, using libraries like FingerprintJS and the Geolocation API. Additionally, implementing auto sign-out features for idle users using the react-idle-timer package can prevent unauthorized access. Proper session management includes generating and storing session IDs securely, avoiding insecure methods such as storing them in URL query strings, and instead using local storage accessed through custom React hooks. These practices, along with encouraging strong password usage, can significantly reduce the risk of authentication breaches. This guide, provided by Siddhant Varma, a full stack JavaScript developer, offers practical solutions for improving authentication security in React apps.