Pääsytunnukset

Pääsytunnukset, often translated as access tokens, are credentials used to gain access to protected resources. In the context of computing and web services, they typically represent authorization granted to a user or application to perform specific actions or access particular data. A pääsytunnus is usually a string of characters that acts as a key, allowing a system to verify the identity and permissions of the entity requesting access without requiring them to re-authenticate with their primary credentials repeatedly.

These tokens are commonly employed in authentication protocols like OAuth 2.0. When a user grants an application permission to access their data on a service (e.g., allowing a photo editing app to access their cloud storage), the service issues an access token to the application. This token is then presented by the application to the service each time it needs to perform an action on behalf of the user. Pääsytunnukset have a defined lifespan and can be revoked by the issuing authority. Their use enhances security by minimizing the exposure of sensitive login information and allows for granular control over permissions.