What is a Bearer Token? Understanding API Authentication
Blog post from Postman
A bearer token is a security token used primarily with OAuth 2.0 that allows access to protected resources by anyone holding it, similar to a concert ticket granting entry. These tokens are included in the Authorization header of HTTP requests, and the server validates them to grant or deny access. Bearer tokens can be opaque or structured like JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), with JWTs providing self-contained, cryptographically signed information for stateless authentication. Unlike API keys, bearer tokens are suited for authenticating individual users and require careful handling, such as using HTTPS, implementing token expiration, and ensuring secure storage. Tools like Postman facilitate testing bearer tokens by automating token management and refreshing, while common pitfalls include missing the "Bearer" prefix, transmitting over HTTP, and not addressing token expiration. Proper server-side validation includes checking the token's signature, expiration, and revocation status.
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