When connecting to Salesforce, which authentication method is commonly used?

When connecting to Salesforce, OAuth 2.0 is commonly used as the authentication method. This protocol is designed to provide secure and delegated access to web applications and services. It enables applications to obtain limited access to user accounts without exposing user passwords, which not only enhances security but also simplifies the authentication process for end users.

OAuth 2.0 works by allowing users to authorize third-party applications to access their Salesforce data without sharing their credentials. This is particularly beneficial in a cloud environment where applications may need to interact with the Salesforce API to perform tasks such as retrieving or manipulating data. By implementing OAuth 2.0, developers can ensure that taps into user data are tightly controlled and monitored.

In contrast, Basic Authentication requires users to send their credentials with each request, which can be less secure as these credentials can be intercepted if not properly encrypted. JWT Authentication is also a secure method, but it is less common in the context of Salesforce compared to OAuth 2.0, which has become the standard due to its ease of use and strong security features. API Keys, while useful for directly accessing services, do not provide the same level of fine-grained access control or user delegation that OAuth 2.0 offers.