OAuth is an open standard that allows users to grant limited access to their data on one site to other sites or applications without exposing their passwords. It has become the backbone of secure authorization across the web and mobile apps.
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OAuth connects three main players:
- The User who wants to grant access to their data without sharing login credentials
- The Server that hosts the user's data and provides access tokens
- The Identity Provider (IdP) that authenticates the user's identity and issues tokens
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When a user tries to access their data through a third-party app, they are redirected to log in through the IdP. The IdP sends an access token to the app, which presents it to the server. Recognizing the valid token, the server grants access.
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OAuth 2.0 defines four flows for obtaining authorization tokens:
- Authorization Code Flow - for server-side applications
- Client Credentials Flow - when the app is the resource owner
- Implicit Code Flow - not secure and no longer recommended
- Resource Owner Flow - for trusted apps using owner credentials
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- Enhances user experience by eliminating multiple passwords
- Allows secure data access across platforms using tokens
- Balances accessibility and security
OAuth 2.0 has become the standard for authorization. It enables secure, convenient data sharing while protecting user accounts.