Difference Between IIS Authentication Modes - Interview Question

In IIS, there are several authentication modes that can be used to control access to web resources. The main authentication modes in IIS are Windows Authentication, Basic Authentication, Digest Authentication, Forms Authentication, and Anonymous Authentication.

Windows Authentication mode allows users to log in using their Windows credentials, providing a secure and centralized way to authenticate users. Basic Authentication mode sends user credentials in plain text, making it less secure compared to Windows Authentication. Digest Authentication mode is similar to Basic Authentication but sends credentials in an encrypted form. Forms Authentication mode is used for custom login forms and allows for more flexibility in authentication methods. Anonymous Authentication mode allows users to access web resources without providing any credentials.

Overall, the difference between IIS authentication modes lies in the level of security and flexibility they offer in authenticating users accessing web resources.