What method is commonly used for user authentication in web applications?

The use of a username and password combination is the most traditional and widely implemented method for user authentication in web applications. This approach requires users to create a unique identifier (username) and a secret key (password) that they must provide when logging in.

This method is recognized for its simplicity and familiarity, making it user-friendly as most people understand and are accustomed to entering credentials. It typically relies on storing and managing user credentials securely within a database, often with additional protections like hashing and salting passwords to enhance security.

While other authentication methods, such as social media login, single sign-on (SSO), and fingerprint authentication, offer alternative approaches to user authentication, they usually serve specific scenarios or enhance the user experience rather than act as the foundational method used across the majority of web applications. Social media logins streamline the process by allowing users to authenticate through their social media accounts. SSO enables a user to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without re-authenticating, improving efficiency and user experience. Fingerprint authentication, on the other hand, represents a biometrically-based method that is generally used in combination with other approaches for enhanced security.

Overall, while modern web applications increasingly adopt various authentication strategies, the username and password combination remains