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JSON Web Token vs OAuth2: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this Markdown code, we will provide a comparison between JSON Web Token (JWT) and OAuth2. The key differences between these two are outlined below.

  1. Scalability: JSON Web Tokens (JWT) are self-contained, meaning that all the relevant information is included in the token itself. This makes them highly scalable as there is no need to query the server every time to verify the token. On the other hand, OAuth2 relies on tokens that are stored on the server-side and need to be queried each time a request is made, causing additional overhead and impacting scalability.

  2. Token Generation: JWTs are generated by the server and include the necessary information to verify their authenticity, such as a digital signature. OAuth2, on the other hand, relies on access and refresh tokens generated by the authorization server. These tokens need to be requested and validated by a separate entity, which adds an extra step in the authentication process.

  3. Scope of Authorization: OAuth2 provides a much finer-grained authorization mechanism by allowing the specification of different scopes for each access token. These scopes determine the level of access granted to a client application. In contrast, JWTs provide broader and more general authorization capabilities, as all the relevant information is already present in the token itself.

  4. Token Expiration: JWTs have the option to include an expiration time, which allows for more granular control over their validity. This means that the server can specify the exact duration for which a JWT is considered valid and enforce stricter security measures. OAuth2, on the other hand, relies on short-lived access tokens and long-lived refresh tokens. The expiration time for these tokens is determined by the server and poses a potential security risk if not managed properly.

  5. Token Revocation: In OAuth2, access and refresh tokens can be easily revoked by the authorization server, allowing fine-grained control over the access granted to client applications. JWTs, however, do not have a built-in revocation mechanism. Once a JWT is issued, it remains valid until it expires, which may pose a challenge when it comes to revoking access for a specific client.

  6. Usage Pattern: JWTs are commonly used for authentication purposes, where the token itself contains information about the user and their permissions. OAuth2, on the other hand, is primarily used for authorization, allowing third-party applications to access resources on behalf of the user, without explicitly sharing credentials.

In summary, the key differences between JSON Web Token (JWT) and OAuth2 lie in their scalability, token generation process, scope of authorization, token expiration, token revocation mechanism, and usage pattern.

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What is JSON Web Token?

JSON Web Token is an open standard that defines a compact and self-contained way for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. This information can be verified and trusted because it is digitally signed.

What is OAuth2?

It is an authorization framework that enables a third-party application to obtain limited access to an HTTP service, either on behalf of a resource owner by orchestrating an approval interaction between the resource owner and the HTTP service, or by allowing the third-party application to obtain access on its own behalf.

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Sep 29 2020 at 7:36PM

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What are some alternatives to JSON Web Token and OAuth2?
Passport
It is authentication middleware for Node.js. Extremely flexible and modular, It can be unobtrusively dropped in to any Express-based web application. A comprehensive set of strategies support authentication using a username and password, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
Spring Security
It is a framework that focuses on providing both authentication and authorization to Java applications. The real power of Spring Security is found in how easily it can be extended to meet custom requirements.
Auth0
A set of unified APIs and tools that instantly enables Single Sign On and user management to all your applications.
Keycloak
It is an Open Source Identity and Access Management For Modern Applications and Services. It adds authentication to applications and secure services with minimum fuss. No need to deal with storing users or authenticating users. It's all available out of the box.
Azure Active Directory
It is a comprehensive identity and access management solution that gives you a robust set of capabilities to manage users and groups. You can get the reliability and scalability you need with identity services that work with your on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environment.
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