Is using a security token the most effective method to prevent unauthorized access to PHP scripts, or are there better alternatives?

Using a security token is an effective method to prevent unauthorized access to PHP scripts, as it adds an extra layer of authentication. However, there are other alternatives such as implementing user authentication systems or IP whitelisting to further enhance security.

// Check if the security token is present and valid
$security_token = "abc123";
if(!isset($_GET['token']) || $_GET['token'] !== $security_token){
    die("Unauthorized access");
}

// Your PHP script code here