How to Build a Secure and User-Friendly Member-Only Login System in PHP?

Secure Member-Only Pages with a Login System

Issue Description:

A user is experiencing issues with their PHP login script. The script aims to query a database and insert a token and user general authentication code into a separate table based on user credentials. However, the script currently does not check the tokens table. Additionally, the user wants to display the logged-in user's username on pages that require access restrictions.

Solution:

1. Database Cleanup:

The provided MySQL tables are not secure. The password column should be stored in a hashed format for added protection.

2. Centralizing Login Functionality:

Instead of repeating login code on multiple pages, create a separate init.php file to handle database connection and login initialization. This file can be included in every PHP page that requires login functionality.

3. Improved Login Script:

Rewrite the login script in ajax/login.php to sanitize user input, verify credentials against the database, and use PHP sessions to store the logged-in user's information.

4. Using Ajax for Login:

Implement Ajax to handle login requests asynchronously from the login form. This prevents page reloads and provides a more user-friendly experience.

5. Access Restriction:

On pages that require login, add a verification check at the beginning to redirect unauthenticated users to the login page.

6. Displaying Username:

Use PHP sessions to store the logged-in user's username. On pages where the username should be displayed, simply output the value using echo $_SESSION['username'];.

Additional Tips:

• Consider using a PHP framework for security features out of the box.
• Implement a password reset mechanism for improved user experience.
• Regularly update the system to ensure security patches are applied.

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