OAuth2 and JWT Fundamentals
Grasp the core concepts of OAuth2 for authorization and JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for secure information exchange.
Why API Security Matters
When building applications, especially those with REST APIs, security is paramount. You're exposing data and functionality that needs protection.
Without proper security, your API could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, data breaches, or malicious attacks. This lesson lays the groundwork for understanding how to secure your services.
AuthN vs. AuthZ: Key Differences
Before diving in, let's clarify two critical terms:
- Authentication (AuthN): Verifying who a user or client is. Think of it as showing your ID to prove your identity.
- Authorization (AuthZ): Determining what an authenticated user or client is allowed to do. This is like a bouncer checking your ticket to see if you can enter a specific area.
OAuth2 primarily focuses on authorization.
All lessons in this course
- OAuth2 and JWT Fundamentals
- Securing REST Endpoints
- Role-Based Access Control