Authentication

Rant Alert

There have been a number of debates in the Google group about Authentication and how it can be done. There is a vast amount of confusion (IMHO).

So what is Authentication?

I searched the internet and found a defenition which should be of use:

Authentication is any process by which you verify that someone is who they claim they are. This usually involves a username and a password, but can include any other method of demonstrating identity, such as a smart card, retina scan, voice recognition, or fingerprints. Authentication is equivalent to showing your drivers license at the ticket counter at the airport.

Apache Manual