I'm currently working on a MERN (MongoDB, Express.js, React.js, Node.js) stack application and I'm in the process of implementing user authentication. I want to ensure that the authentication system is not only secure but also scalable. I'm interested in best practices and libraries to achieve this.
Details:
Security: User authentication is a critical component of any web application. What are the best security practices to follow when implementing user authentication in a MERN stack application to protect against common vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF)?
Libraries and Technologies: Are there recommended libraries or technologies that can streamline the authentication process in a MERN stack application? What are the pros and cons of using libraries like Passport.js, Firebase Authentication, or others?
Custom Authentication System: I'm also interested in implementing a custom authentication system that allows for flexibility. How can I design a custom authentication system within the MERN stack that enables me to add additional fields and restrictions to user profiles? Are there any design patterns or considerations I should be aware of?
Scalability: As the application grows, how can I ensure that the authentication system remains scalable and can handle a larger number of users and concurrent requests? What are the key considerations for authentication system scalability in a MERN stack?
Password Storage: What are the best practices for securely storing user passwords in the database? Should I use techniques like salted and hashed passwords, and are there libraries that simplify this process?
Session Management: How can I manage user sessions effectively in a MERN stack application? Are there strategies for handling session timeouts, remembering user sessions, and preventing session fixation attacks?
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Should I consider implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) in my application? If so, what are the recommended methods and libraries for adding this extra layer of security?
User Profile Fields: In a custom authentication system, I want to add more fields to user profiles beyond the basic username and password. What's the best approach to extend user profiles with custom fields, and how can these fields be securely managed?
I expected that the authentication system would work smoothly, allowing users to sign up, log in, and access protected routes securely. I also assumed that I could easily customize the user profiles by adding additional fields like "profile picture" and "user bio" to the database.