OAuth, short for Open Authorization, is an open standard protocol used for secure authorization. It allows users to grant third-party applications limited access to their resources without sharing their credentials, such as passwords1. Here’s a quick overview:
How OAuth Works
- User Authorization: The user grants permission to a third-party application to access their resources on another service.
- Access Token: The third-party application receives an access token, which it uses to access the user’s resources.
- Limited Access: The access token specifies what data the third-party application can access and what actions it can perform.
Common Uses
- Social Media Integration: Allowing apps to access your social media accounts without sharing your login details.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): Enabling users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications.
- Enterprise Applications: Managing access to company resources securely.
OAuth strikes a balance between convenience and security, making it a widely adopted protocol for authorization.
