OAuth Defined

OAuth is an open-standard authorization protocol or framework that describes how unrelated servers and services can safely allow authenticated access to their assets without having to share the initial, related, single logon credential.

OAuth works over HTTPS and authorizes devices, APIs, servers, and applications with access tokens rather than credentials. Simply, this authentication protocol allows users to approve the interaction of one  application with another without giving away a user’s password.

Oauth is used by companies such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter to permit the users to share information about their accounts with third party applications or websites.

Users and companies find OAuth beneficial as:

• The protocol relies on SSL, meaning that the data between the web server and browsers remain private.
• The protocol allows limited access to the user’s data and allows accessing when authorization tokens expire.
• The protocol has the ability to share data for users without having to release personal information.
• The protocol is easier to implement and provides stronger authentication than other software.

In Data Defined, we help make the complex world of data more accessible by explaining some of the most complex aspects of the field.

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