📖 Why Authentication Without Limits Is Dangerous?

🗝️ Introduction

Many systems implement authentication correctly and stop there.

This creates a false sense of security.

📌 Correct authentication without limits is still dangerous.

🔹 Unlimited Retries Favor the Attacker

If your API allows unlimited login attempts:

🔹 Attackers can try forever
🔹 Automation removes effort
🔹 Time favors the attacker

Security becomes a probability game:

“Eventually, something will work.”

🔹 Failure Still Costs Resources

Every failed login attempt still:

🔹 Hashes a password
🔹 Allocates memory
🔹 Uses CPU
🔹 Writes logs

📌 Even failed attempts damage system stability at scale.

🔹 Small Leaks Become Big Breaches

Without limits:

🔹 One leaked password is enough
🔹 One weak account can be compromised
🔹 Abuse spreads quietly

📌 Unlimited retries turn small mistakes into major incidents.

🔹 Authentication Alone Does Not Control Behavior

Authentication answers:

“Who are you?”

It does not answer:

“How often should you try?”

📌 Behavior must be controlled separately.

🧬 Characteristics

🧬 Unlimited retries favor automation
🧬 Authentication alone does not stop abuse
🧬 Scale amplifies small weaknesses
🧬 Limits are mandatory, not optional

🏁 Conclusion

Authentication without limits:

❌ Assumes good behavior
❌ Ignores automation
❌ Fails under real-world conditions

📌 Secure systems control behavior, not just credentials.