tokenoppdatering

tokenoppdatering, or token renewal in English, refers to the process of replacing an expired or soon-to-expire access token with a new one without requiring the user to re‑authenticate. The procedure is a core component of many modern authentication and authorization protocols, including OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and various industry‑specific token‑based schemes.

The primary motivation behind tokenoppdatering is to balance security and usability. Access tokens are typically short‑lived to reduce the risk of compromise, while refresh tokens or renewal endpoints enable a continuous user session. When an access token reaches its expiry time, the client presents a valid refresh token or calls a renewal endpoint, and the authentication server issues a new access token, optionally rotating the refresh token as well.

Different frameworks define slightly different terminologies and interfaces. In OAuth 2.0, the process is called “refresh token flow”; in OpenID Connect the “refresh token” grant type is used to obtain a new ID token and access token. Some systems employ silent authentication or token introspection to avoid explicit user interaction.

Security best practices advise limiting the lifespan of refresh tokens, binding them to specific client identifiers, using secure transport (HTTPS), and revoking tokens when suspicious activity is detected. Additionally, some implementations use one‑time or rotating refresh tokens to reduce the window of attack.

Tokenoppdatering is widely adopted in mobile, single‑page applications, and microservice architectures where uninterrupted access to protected resources is critical while maintaining robust security controls.