Validates a user name and password against credentials stored in the configuration file for an application.
true if the user name and password are valid; otherwise, false.
The Authenticate method verifies user credentials that are stored in the credentials section of the application configuration file. Alternatively, you can use ASP.NET membership to store user credentials and call the MembershipProvider.ValidateUser(string, string) to verify the credentials. For more information, see Managing Users By Using ASP.NET Membership.
For improved security, you can encrypt passwords stored in the configuration file for an application by using the FormsAuthentication.HashPasswordForStoringInConfigFile(string, string) method.