How do I make AJAX request to actions that require authentication in Rails?

I am trying to send an AJAX request to a Rails controller that uses before_filter to authenticate the user. The prob开发者_JAVA百科lem is when the request gets sent, the server asks for authentication even if the user is already logged in.

Here is my AJAX request:

$.ajax({
  type: 'DELETE',
  url: "/messages/delete_all",
  data: [1,2,4],
  success: function() {
        console.log("Your request is received.")
    }
});

When the user hits delete_all from the browser, it works, but with AJAX it doesn't. What gives?

EDIT: could it be related to the authenticity_token?

Maybe this question will help: Using javascript with the twitter API

The solution proposed there should look something like this in your case

$.ajax({    
  type: 'DELETE',
  url: "/messages/delete_all",
  data: [1,2,4],
  beforeSend: function(xhr) {
    xhr.setRequestHeader("Authentication", "Basic  " + encodeBase64(username + ":" + password)
  },
  success: function() {
    console.log("Your request is received.")
  }
});