What does a user typically enter during the authentication process of a web application?

During the authentication process of a web application, the most common requirement is for a user to enter a username and password. This method serves as the primary mechanism for verifying a user’s identity and granting access to their account or sensitive information within the application.

The username typically serves as a unique identifier for the user, while the password acts as a secret key that confirms the user's identity. This pairing is foundational for security protocols, as it helps ensure that only authorized users can access their accounts.

While other options, such as email and phone number or security questions, may be used in the authentication process, they are often supplemental or used for recovery purposes rather than being the primary method of authentication like the username and password pairing. Additionally, entering first and last names is generally not a part of the authentication phase, as these details do not verify identity in the same way.