As the name implies, basic authentication is the simplest method of authentication, and for a long time was the most common authentication method used. However, other methods of authentication have recently passed basic in common usage, due to usability issues that will be discussed in a minute.
How basic authentication works
When a particular resource has been protected using basic authentication, Apache sends a 401 Authentication Requiredheader with the response to the request, in order to notify the client that user credentials must be supplied in order for the resource to be returned as requested. Continue reading