Authentication Methods

SharePoint supports several authentication methods to ensure secure access to resources. The choice of authentication method can affect user experience, security, and integration with other systems. Below are the most common authentication methods used in SharePoint:

Windows Authentication uses the credentials of the logged-in user to authenticate access to SharePoint resources. It is commonly used in intranet scenarios and supports various providers:

• NTLM (NT LAN Manager)
• Kerberos

Forms-Based Authentication allows users to authenticate using a username and password through a web form. It is often used in internet-facing SharePoint sites and can be integrated with membership databases or other identity stores.

Claims-Based Authentication is a flexible authentication model that can support multiple identity providers. It uses security tokens that carry a claim about the user's identity, allowing integration with external systems such as:

• Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
• Azure Active Directory

Basic Authentication transmits user credentials in an encoded format. It is simple but not secure unless used over HTTPS, as it can expose user credentials. Basic Authentication is not commonly recommended due to its security implications.

Digest Authentication is more secure than Basic Authentication as it does not transmit passwords in clear text. It uses a challenge-response mechanism but requires configuration on both the client and server.

OAuth 2.0 is an open standard for access delegation commonly used for token-based authentication. In SharePoint, it is often used for authenticating third-party applications and services.

Choosing the right authentication method in SharePoint depends on the organization's security requirements, server environment, and user access scenarios. It's crucial to evaluate each method's strengths and weaknesses before implementation.

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