A compact, signed token format used to securely pass identity and permission claims between a client and a server.
A JSON Web Token (JWT, often pronounced jot) has three parts separated by dots: a header describing the signing algorithm, a payload containing claims such as a user ID and expiry time, and a signature. The header and payload are encoded, not encrypted, so anyone can read them, but the signature lets a server verify that the token has not been altered.
JWTs are common in modern authentication. After a user logs in, the server issues a token, and the client sends it with each request, so the server does not need to look up a session every time. Best practices include short expiry times, secure storage, never putting secrets in the payload, and validating signatures and algorithms strictly.
The process of verifying that a user, device, or system is who or what it claims to be.
JSONJavaScript Object Notation: a lightweight, text-based format for storing and exchanging structured data.
OAuthAn open standard that lets users grant an app limited access to their data on another service without sharing their password.
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