Objective:
This report documents the results of recent authentication tests conducted on SayPro’s platform, aiming to evaluate the functionality, security, and user experience of the authentication processes. Based on the findings, recommendations are provided to optimize and improve the authentication system.
1. Test Overview
Date of Tests: April 2025
Test Conducted By: SayPro IT and Security Teams
Testing Focus Areas:
- Login Functionality (email/password, social login)
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Password Recovery Process
- Session Management
- Account Lockout & Security Features
- Compliance with Data Protection Regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
- Usability and User Experience
Tools Used:
- Browser Testing (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
- Mobile Testing (iOS, Android)
- Automated Security Scanning Tools
- Penetration Testing
- User Experience Feedback Surveys
2. Test Results
A. Login Functionality
- Test Methodology:
Test cases included both email/password login and social media login (Google and Facebook). - Results:
- Email/Password Login: All standard email/password logins functioned correctly across various browsers and devices.
- Social Media Login:
- Google Login: Successful for 90% of users. 10% experienced issues due to expired OAuth tokens or disconnected Google accounts.
- Facebook Login: Occasional issues with users receiving an error message related to incorrect permissions or mismatched email addresses between Facebook and SayPro accounts.
- Issues Identified:
- Users who had disconnected their social media accounts or changed their social media passwords had trouble logging in via Google/Facebook.
- Some users reported delayed redirects after successful login via social media, particularly on mobile devices.
B. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Test Methodology:
MFA was tested through both SMS-based verification and Authenticator apps (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy). - Results:
- SMS-based MFA: 100% success rate for delivery of one-time passcodes. However, some users in remote areas reported delays in receiving SMS codes.
- Authenticator App MFA: Worked well for most users, though a small subset (5%) reported out-of-sync codes or difficulties setting up MFA initially.
- Fallback to Email for MFA: Users without mobile access were able to use email-based MFA successfully.
- Issues Identified:
- SMS Delays: Delays in receiving SMS codes caused issues for some users, especially in regions with poor mobile network coverage.
- Authenticator App Setup: The setup process for Authenticator apps was unclear for some users, leading to setup failures.
C. Password Recovery Process
- Test Methodology:
Test cases involved forgotten password scenarios for both email/password and social media accounts. - Results:
- Password Reset Email: 100% success rate in sending password reset emails. Emails were delivered promptly, but some users experienced issues with email delivery to Spam/Junk folders.
- Recovery via Social Media: Successfully retrieved passwords for users attempting to reset via Google/Facebook, with a 95% success rate.
- Security: Password reset was secure, requiring users to confirm identity via email or mobile.
- Issues Identified:
- A small number of users were unable to receive reset emails, likely due to spam filters or incorrect email addresses.
- Confusion over email address consistency when recovering accounts via Google/Facebook.
D. Session Management
- Test Methodology:
Tests included logging in, session expiry, and token expiration across browsers and devices. - Results:
- Session Timeout: All sessions expired after the configured 15-minute idle time.
- Token Expiry: Tokens were successfully invalidated after the session timeout, ensuring security.
- Auto-login: Users were successfully logged out after manually clicking “Log Out,” and no auto-login was allowed without explicit action.
- Issues Identified:
- A small number of users experienced delayed session expiration after inactivity on mobile browsers.
- Session persistence for long-term login caused some security concerns. Users were not prompted to re-authenticate after extended periods (e.g., 30+ days).
E. Account Lockout & Security Features
- Test Methodology:
Multiple failed login attempts (5+ failed attempts) were simulated to test account lockout behavior. - Results:
- Account Lockout: Successfully triggered after 5 failed attempts, with a 15-minute temporary lockout implemented.
- Rate Limiting: Prevented brute-force attacks on login forms by limiting the number of attempts per IP address.
- Issues Identified:
- Some users attempted to bypass lockout by switching IP addresses. IP-based lockout did not fully prevent this.
- There were no visible captchas during repeated failed login attempts, which could help mitigate bot-based attacks.
F. Compliance with Data Protection Regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
- Test Methodology:
Compliance with GDPR and CCPA was tested through user data handling, account deletion, and data export features. - Results:
- Data Access Requests: Successful export of user data when requested.
- Account Deletion: Users were able to successfully delete accounts and all associated data through account settings.
- Consent Management: Users were informed of the data collection during the registration process and consent was obtained.
- Issues Identified:
- Some users had difficulty navigating the data export feature due to unclear instructions.
- Account deletion process took longer than expected, resulting in user frustration.
G. Usability and User Experience
- Test Methodology:
User feedback was gathered via surveys and user testing to evaluate the ease of use and overall experience with the authentication process. - Results:
- Login Process: Rated as user-friendly by 90% of testers.
- Password Recovery: 80% of testers found the password recovery process intuitive, though some requested clearer instructions.
- MFA Setup: Rated 75% for ease of use. Users reported some difficulty with MFA setup, particularly when using the Authenticator app.
- Issues Identified:
- Users were unclear on the steps required to set up MFA, especially with the Authenticator app.
- Password recovery instructions could be simplified for a smoother user experience.
3. Recommendations for Improvement
A. Improve Social Media Login Stability
- Action: Ensure that OAuth tokens for Google and Facebook logins are refreshed and updated correctly. Provide users with clear instructions on how to reconnect their social media accounts in case of token expiry or password changes.
- Timeline: Immediate (within the next software update).
B. Enhance Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Setup
- Action: Simplify the Authenticator app setup process by adding tooltips or a dedicated help page. Offer video tutorials for users unfamiliar with MFA setup.
- Timeline: Within 1-2 months.
C. Address SMS Delivery Delays
- Action: Work with mobile providers to ensure faster delivery of SMS-based MFA codes. Consider providing an alternative, such as email-based MFA or app-based MFA, for users in regions with unreliable SMS delivery.
- Timeline: 3-4 months.
D. Session Management Enhancements
- Action: Implement session expiration warnings to alert users before they are logged out due to inactivity. Enhance session persistence settings to require re-authentication after 30 days of inactivity.
- Timeline: Within 1-2 months.
E. Strengthen Account Lockout and Security
- Action: Introduce CAPTCHAs or similar mechanisms to prevent bot-based attacks during login attempts. Improve the IP-based lockout system to prevent bypassing by switching IP addresses.
- Timeline: Immediate.
F. Improve Data Access and Deletion Features
- Action: Provide clearer instructions for data export and account deletion. Ensure faster processing for account deletions.
- Timeline: Within 1 month.
G. Improve User Experience
- Action: Simplify and streamline the password recovery process. Consider adding more intuitive steps and tooltips for users.
- Timeline: Immediate.
4. Conclusion
The authentication tests revealed that SayPro’s system is largely secure and functional but can be enhanced in areas like social media login stability, MFA setup clarity, SMS delivery, and session management. By addressing these areas with the recommended improvements, SayPro can enhance both the security and user experience of its platform.
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