Understanding JWT, OAuth, and Bearer tokens

Human interaction relies on recognizing individuals by their appearance, a process automated by the brain, whereas in the digital realm, authentication involves verifying identity through credentials due to the absence of visual cues. Initially, usernames and passwords were used, but these methods posed security risks like unsecured HTTP requests and plain text storage. To address these, technologies like JWTs (JSON Web Tokens) and OAuth emerged, providing secure methods for identity verification and authorization by ensuring data integrity through signatures and token-based exchanges. JWTs consist of a header, payload, and signature, making them tamper-proof and reliable for transmitting information, while OAuth often employs JWTs to facilitate secure token transport in authorization processes. Bearer tokens, which are used in HTTP requests, further enhance security by indicating authorized access to resources. Despite being distinct, JWTs and OAuth complement each other, with JWTs playing a crucial role in OAuth's secure data transmission.