May 1, 2024
Updated June 4, 2025
25 minute read
An Introduction to JWT Authentication
JSON Web Token (JWT) authentication is a widely adopted standard for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. This information can be verified and trusted because it is digitally signed. JWTs are often used to verify the identity of users and to transmit information needed for authorization, essentially acting as a compact and self-contained way for two parties to exchange security information. The beauty of JWT authentication lies in its stateless nature; the server does not need to keep a record of tokens it has issued, making it a popular choice for scalable and distributed systems.
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Find a path to becoming a JWT Authentication. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/2r0wpx/jwt
Reading list
We've selected 27 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
JWT Authentication.
OpenID Connect is an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0 and commonly uses JWTs as ID tokens. is an example-driven guide to securing applications with OpenID Connect, detailing its integration into various application types. It's highly relevant for understanding how JWTs are used for identity federation.
Focuses on implementing secure authentication using OAuth2 and OpenID Connect, both of which heavily utilize JWT. It's a practical guide for developers looking to build scalable and secure authentication systems.
Provides a broader view of identity management, covering OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and SAML 2.0. Understanding these related standards is crucial for comprehending the landscape in which JWT operates and its specific role. It is more focused on concepts, which is helpful for gaining a broad understanding.
For those working with microservices architectures, this book provides specific guidance on securing APIs and endpoints in such environments. JWT is commonly used in microservices for authentication and authorization, making threlevant resource.
Offers a simplified guide to building an OAuth 2.0 server. While it provides a high-level overview, it introduces the usage of JWT and OpenID Connect, making it a good starting point for beginners to understand the ecosystem around JWT.
Provides a broad overview of web application security, covering various vulnerabilities and defense mechanisms, including authentication and authorization. It helps contextualize JWT within the larger scope of web security. It is designed to be an all-in-one guide for developers.
Understanding how APIs can be attacked, including those using JWT for authentication, is vital for building secure systems. provides insights into API hacking techniques, which can inform defensive strategies.
Covers JWT authentication as part of a broader discussion on building microservices with Go. It provides practical examples and guidance for implementing JWT-based authentication in Go applications.
While not exclusively about JWT, this book provides a strong foundation in the cryptographic principles that underpin JWT security, such as hashing and digital signatures. Understanding these concepts is essential for anyone working deeply with JWTs and their security implications. The second edition is updated to reflect the latest developments.
Provides a clear and practical description of authentication and authorization for web sites. While it covers various methods, it provides foundational knowledge essential for understanding the role of JWT in these processes. It includes explanations of secure storage of credentials and different authentication methods.
Provides an in-depth view of the OAuth 2.0 protocol from a client perspective, with a focus on practicality and security. Understanding the client-side intricacies is important when working with JWT-based authentication in client applications.
This cookbook offers practical recipes for solving real-life problems using Spring Security and Android applications with OAuth 2.0. It introduces the usage of JWT and OpenID Connect in practical scenarios, which is helpful for developers working with these technologies.
Covers a broad range of web application security topics, including authentication and authorization vulnerabilities. It provides a solid understanding of the security landscape relevant to applications using JWT.
Focuses on best practices for identity and data security in web development. It would provide valuable context for securely implementing JWT within web applications.
Delves into the engineering aspects of building secure cryptographic systems. It provides a deeper understanding of the practical challenges and considerations in implementing cryptography, which is relevant for securely implementing and using JWTs. While older, it offers valuable timeless principles.
Collection of the core RFCs related to OAuth 2.0. For those who need to understand the specifications underlying JWT's common usage in OAuth 2.0, this provides the foundational documents. It's a reference for in-depth understanding of the standards.
Discusses JWT authentication as part of a broader discussion on security architecture for software applications. It provides guidance on how to design and implement JWT-based authentication solutions that are secure and scalable.
Provides a mathematical and theoretical foundation for JWTs. Covers the underlying algorithms and cryptographic principles used in JWTs.
Covers JWTs as part of its discussion on building secure and reliable systems. Includes a section on how to use JWTs for authentication and authorization in distributed systems.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/2r0wpx/jwt
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