How to Fix MySQL Error 2049 - (CR_SECURE_AUTH) Connection using old (pre-4.1.1) authentication protocol refused (client option 'secure_auth' enabled)

MySQL is a popular open-source relational database management system used by many websites and applications. However, sometimes users may encounter errors while connecting to the MySQL server. One such error is MySQL Error 2049, which occurs when the connection is using an old authentication protocol that is no longer supported by the server. In this article, we will discuss how to fix this error and establish a successful connection to the MySQL server.

Understanding MySQL Error 2049

MySQL Error 2049, also known as CR_SECURE_AUTH, is a connection error that occurs when the client attempts to connect to the MySQL server using an old authentication protocol. This error typically occurs when the client is using a version of MySQL older than 4.1.1, which used an insecure password hashing algorithm.

Starting from MySQL 4.1.1, a more secure password hashing algorithm called SHA-256 was introduced. This algorithm provides better security for user passwords. However, the old authentication protocol is still supported for backward compatibility reasons.

Fixing MySQL Error 2049

To fix MySQL Error 2049, you need to update the authentication protocol used by the client to match the one supported by the server. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Verify MySQL Server Version

First, you need to determine the version of the MySQL server you are connecting to. You can do this by running the following SQL query:

SELECT VERSION();

This query will return the version number of the MySQL server.

Step 2: Update MySQL Client

If the MySQL server version is older than 4.1.1, you need to update your MySQL client to a newer version that supports the secure authentication protocol. You can download the latest version of the MySQL client from the official MySQL website.

Step 3: Modify MySQL Configuration

If you are unable to update the MySQL client, you can modify the MySQL server configuration to allow connections using the old authentication protocol. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the MySQL configuration file (usually located at /etc/mysql/my.cnf or /etc/my.cnf) using a text editor.
2. Locate the [mysqld] section in the configuration file.
3. Add the following line to the [mysqld] section:

old_passwords=1

Save the configuration file and restart the MySQL server for the changes to take effect.

Summary

MySQL Error 2049 occurs when the client attempts to connect to the MySQL server using an old authentication protocol. To fix this error, you can either update the MySQL client to a version that supports the secure authentication protocol or modify the MySQL server configuration to allow connections using the old protocol. For more information about VPS hosting and to explore our top-notch VPS solutions, visit Server.HK.