What is Token Authentication?

Token authentication is a process of verifying the identity of a user or client system with a token that is issued to that user or client system. A token can be a PIN number, a word, a phrase or a long string of random characters. The token can be used in addition to or in place of a password.

Are Tokens More Secure than Passwords?

Passwords can be guessed, hacked, or stolen. Tokens are a more secure alternative. Long and random tokens are difficult to guess and therefore helps to increase security. Tokens can also be used to authenticate users without revealing their passwords. This makes tokens a more secure and convenient option for online authentication. Unlike passwords, a user can be issued with many tokens, each expiring at different times. This gives the user a lot more control. Also users can control which resources a given access by tokens - which is not possible with a single password. Tokens are more secure than passwords, because it allows more granular access control.

How do I get an authentication token?

An authentication token is a code that is used to verify the identity of a user. The token distribution mechanism differs based on the service that you use. With most online services, the initial authentication is done by the user, which gives a token to the third party.