---
title: "Basic API Authentication"
slug: "basic-api-authentication"
updated: 2025-09-25T22:38:08Z
published: 2025-09-25T22:38:08Z
canonical: "docs.unqork.io/basic-api-authentication"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unqork.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Basic API Authentication

**Basic authentication** is the simplest form of API authentication you can use. To start, an application sends an authorization request. This request contains a header that begins with the word Basic and a space. After that, it includes a Base64 encoded string of the end-user's `username:password`. Because you use a username and password, this type of authentication is user-based.

When creating basic authentication in Unqork, you can enter your `username:password` combination. Let’s say you set up a basic authorization of your own. You enter unqorkDemo for your username and `123zyx `for your password. Your authorization header looks like this: `Authorization: Basic dW5xb3JrRGVtbzoxMjN6eXg=`.

Strings are easily encoded to and decoded from using any free online tool. Though your basic authentication credentials use encoding, they’re not encrypted. Because of this, only use basic authentication with other security mechanisms such as /SSL.

## Setting Up Basic Authentication

To use basic authentication, you must set up a [new service](/v1/docs/services-administration-how-to-add-a-service). Unqork automatically encodes your username and password entries into .

To add a new service with basic authentication:

1. At the top right of the screen, click **Administration**.
2. Under Integration, click **Services Administration**.
3. Click **+ Add a Service**.
4. In the **Service Title*** and **Service Name*** fields, enter a name for your basic authentication service.
5. Click **Next**.
6. Set **Share To** to **Environment**.
7. Click **Create**. The service's page displays.
8. Click **E****dit**.
9. From the left menu, select **Service Type**.
10. From the **Authentication Method** drop-down menu, select `Basic Auth`.
11. In the **Username** and **Password** fields, enter the appropriate information.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/basicAPIAuth_thumb_0_0.jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A00%3A57Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A00%3A57Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=b5zWvFGt5zdz88Kl22yVuNZNZW32ghJh1u%2BWtStr5m0%3D)

Now, when Unqork attempts to authenticate with that server, it automatically sends over the Authorization header. The Authorization includes the encryption of your username/password combination.

## Testing Basic Authentication

Before using your new authentication, try testing it to see if it works properly. Similar to other API authentication methods, you'll test your service integration. You can test your new integration by making an API call in any [module](/v1/docs/what-is-a-module). You can also test your integration using an external tool such as [Postman](/v1/docs/testing-api-endpoints-using-third-party-applications). If your API call is successful, your authentication is running smoothly. But if you receive a **401 Not Authorized** [error code](/v1/docs/http-status-codes), your authentication wasn't set up correctly.

## Resources

- [Unqork Customer API (1.0.0)](https://developers.unqork.io/)
- [Using the Learn More button in a Plug-In component](/v1/docs/plug-in-component)
- [API Authentication Bearer Token](/v1/docs/api-authentication-bearer-token)
- [External APIs](/v1/docs/external-apis)

APIs (application programming interfaces) are a set of protocols and definitions developers use to build and integrate application software. APIs act as the connective tissue between products and services.

Base64 is an encoding and decoding technique used to convert binary data to an ASCII (American Standard for Information Interchange) text format.

End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product.

A string is an object that represents a sequence of characters. Strings typically hold data represented in text form.

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a protocol that encrypts data sent between devices on the internet. It's used to create a secure connection between a browser and a website, or between two servers.