loginonly

LoginOnly is a concept used in information security and software architecture to describe a design approach in which access to protected resources is restricted to authenticated users. In its simplest form, a login process must occur before any sensitive data can be accessed, making anonymous access effectively impossible.

Implementation typically relies on authentication mechanisms such as username and password, supported by session management or tokens. Web applications may use cookies or JSON Web Tokens to maintain a user's authenticated state across requests. Access control lists, roles, and permissions then govern what authenticated users may do.

Variants of a login-only approach include single-factor and multi-factor authentication, persistent sessions, and rate limiting to deter credential stuffing. Some systems separate authentication from final authorization, enforcing login at the boundary of a service or API gateway.

Advantages include reduced exposure of resources to anonymous users and clearer accountability. Drawbacks include potential user friction, increased complexity in session management, and reliance on secure handling of credentials and tokens. Overly aggressive login requirements can impact usability and accessibility.

In practice, login-only patterns are common in enterprise applications, APIs that require user context, and services holding sensitive data. They are often balanced with user experience considerations, such as single sign-on, adaptive authentication, and convenient passwordless options.