Which CodeIgniter Authentication Library Best Balances Features, Security, and Maintainability?

Choosing an Authentication Library for CodeIgniter

When selecting an authentication library for CodeIgniter, it's crucial to evaluate its features, maintainability, and security. Here are some considerations:

Pros and Cons of Popular Libraries:

DX Auth

• Pros: Feature-rich, excellent documentation, email support
• Cons: Two password fields, potentially unsafe md5 hashing, role system issues

FreakAuth Light

• Pros: Comprehensive feature set, separation of user and profile data
• Cons: Bloated, lack of automatic cookie login, UTF-8 compatibility issues, poor HTML code

pc_user

• Pros: Lightweight, elegant cookie login, optional test implementation
• Cons: Old database syntax, lack of CI validation system integration, unsafe sha1 hashing

Fresh Powered

• Pros: Small footprint
• Cons: Limited features, hard coding

Ion Auth (Redux/CodeIgniter-Ion-Auth)

• Pros: Lightweight, email support, well-documented
• Cons: Complex database schema

SimpleLoginSecure

• Pros: Tiny footprint, phpass hashing
• Cons: Limited features

Tank Auth (Recommended)

• Pros:

  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Lean footprint
  • Excellent documentation
  • Separation of user and profile data
  • Strong security model

• Cons:

  • Lost password codes not hashed in database

Minimal Required Features:

1. Tiny footprint with optional testing
2. Full documentation
3. No autoloading
4. Language file support
5. reCAPTCHA (optional)
6. True random salt generation
7. 3rd party login support (optional)
8. Login by username or email
9. Separate user and profile data
10. Email support
11. Automatic cookie login
12. Configurable phpass hashing
13. Hashing of passwords, autologin codes, and lost password codes
14. CI validation system integration
15. Strong password policy
16. Enforced maximum failed login attempts
17. Prepared database statements

Conclusion:

Choose a library that meets or exceeds the minimal required features and prioritize security best practices. Tank Auth emerged as the recommended choice based on its full features, slim footprint, and adherence to security standards.

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