Streamline Your Login Process: Integrating Google Authenticator with Oracle Apex
In today’s fast-paced world, security is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to sensitive information like login credentials. With the increasing use of mobile devices, the traditional methods of authentication like username and password are becoming insufficient. This is where two-factor authentication (2FA) comes in, providing an extra layer of security for your applications. In this blog, we’ll explore couple of best practices on what should be considered when integrating Google Authenticator with Oracle APEX to enhance the security of your applications and provide a seamless user experience.”
1. Use TOTP authentication instead of HOTP
TOTP and HOTP are two commonly used methods of two-factor authentication (2FA).Let’s discuss why TOTP is a better choice for authentication for Oracle Apex.
HTOP
HOTP (HMAC-based One-Time Password) is a one-time password (OTP) algorithm that uses a secret key to generate an OTP. The OTP is generated based on the current counter value and the secret key, and the counter value is incremented every time a new OTP is generated. This is done on the client side, and the server verifies the OTP by checking the counter value and the secret key.
However, the major problem with HOTP is that the client and server can go out of sync, causing inconvenience to the users during login. If the client generates an OTP, but the server does not receive the updated counter value, the OTP will be rejected, and the user will be unable to log in. This issue is commonly known as the “counter rollover problem.”
TOTP
TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) solves the counter rollover problem by using the current time instead of a counter value to generate the OTP. The TOTP algorithm uses the current time and a secret key to generate an OTP, which is then verified by the server. Because the time is constantly changing, the TOTP algorithm ensures that the client and server are always in sync, eliminating the risk of the counter rollover problem.
Using OTP authentication without login throttling in Oracle Apex increases the risk of a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. A DoS attack is an attempt to make a system or network unavailable by overwhelming it with too much traffic. If an OTP authentication page does not have login throttling, an attacker could repeatedly attempt to log in using invalid credentials, potentially generating a large amount of traffic and causing the system to become unavailable.
2. Login Throttling
Login throttling helps to mitigate the risk of a DoS attack by limiting the number of login attempts that can be made within a specified time frame. For example, if login throttling is set to allow three attempts in five minutes, an attacker who repeatedly tries to log in using invalid credentials will eventually be blocked.
In conclusion, it is important to implement login throttling when using OTP authentication in Oracle Apex to help prevent DoS attacks . This will improve the overall user experience by ensuring that the authentication process remains available and reliable.
In closing, we are proud to offer our expertise in integrating Oracle APEX applications with Google Authenticator. With our successful integration of PulseHRM, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to provide a seamless and secure integration for your product. If you’re looking for a trusted Oracle APEX development partner to take on this responsibility, look no further.
Let us help you enhance the security of your applications and provide peace of mind for your users. Contact us today to learn more about our integration services and how we can help you achieve your goals.
