aðgangsauðkenni

aðgangsauðkenni is an Icelandic term that translates to "access token" in English. It is a digital credential that grants a user or application permission to access specific resources or perform certain actions within a system. Access tokens are a fundamental component of modern authentication and authorization systems, particularly in web applications and APIs.

The primary purpose of an access token is to allow a client to make requests to a server without repeatedly sending their primary credentials, such as a username and password. Instead, the client presents the access token, which the server verifies. If the token is valid and grants the necessary permissions, the server processes the request. This enhances security by reducing the exposure of sensitive credentials and improves performance by streamlining the authentication process.

Access tokens typically have a limited lifespan, meaning they expire after a certain period. This is a security measure to mitigate the risk if a token is compromised. Once a token expires, the user or application needs to obtain a new one, often through a refresh token or by re-authenticating. The specific information contained within an access token can vary but often includes the identity of the user or application, the scope of permissions granted, and an expiration timestamp.