Secure PHP Login System with Sessions (Production-Level Guide)
Building a secure PHP authentication system is critical. Many online tutorials still teach insecure practices. Let's cover a production-level approach.
Password Hashing
Never store passwords in plain text. Always use:
password_hash($password, PASSWORD_DEFAULT);
And verify with:
password_verify($inputPassword, $hashedPassword);
Prepared Statements
Protect against SQL injection by using prepared statements:
$stmt = $conn->prepare("SELECT * FROM users WHERE email=?");
Session Security
After login, regenerate the session ID to prevent session fixation:
session_regenerate_id(true);
CSRF Protection
Generate a CSRF token:
$_SESSION['token'] = bin2hex(random_bytes(32));
Validate token for every form submission.
Additional Tips
- Use HTTPS only
- Limit login attempts
- Log suspicious activities
- Strong password policies
Conclusion: A layered approach ensures PHP login systems remain secure and production-ready.