How can PHP be used to create a secure login system for a members area?

To create a secure login system for a members area using PHP, you can hash the passwords before storing them in the database, use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, and implement session management to keep track of logged-in users. 

<?php
// Start a session
session_start();

// Check if the form is submitted
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
    // Retrieve user input
    $username = $_POST["username"];
    $password = $_POST["password"];

    // Hash the password
    $hashed_password = password_hash($password, PASSWORD_DEFAULT);

    // Check if the username and hashed password match the records in the database
    // Use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection
    // If the login is successful, set session variables to track the user
    if ($username == $stored_username && password_verify($password, $stored_hashed_password)) {
        $_SESSION["username"] = $username;
        // Redirect to the members area
        header("Location: members_area.php");
        exit();
    } else {
        // Display an error message
        echo "Invalid username or password";
    }
}
?>

Keywords

PHP secure login system members area authentication password hashing

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