What are the advantages of implementing authentication mechanisms in PHP applications to prevent unauthorized access and protect user data?

Implementing authentication mechanisms in PHP applications is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and protect user data. By requiring users to authenticate themselves before accessing sensitive information or performing actions, you can ensure that only authorized users have access to the system. This helps in safeguarding user data, preventing security breaches, and maintaining the integrity of the application.

session_start();

if(!isset($_SESSION['authenticated']) || $_SESSION['authenticated'] !== true) {
    header('Location: login.php');
    exit();
}