What are the pros and cons of using JWT for authentication?

What are the pros and cons of using JWT for authentication?

JWT, or JSON Web Tokens, are a popular method for handling authentication. One major pro is that they are stateless, meaning the server doesn't need to store session information. This can improve scalability. However, a con is that if a token is compromised, it can be used until it expires.

Can you explain more about the security risks?

Certainly! One risk is that if a JWT is stolen, an attacker can impersonate the user until the token expires. Additionally, if the signing key is weak or compromised, it can lead to unauthorized access.

What are some best practices for using JWT?

Some best practices include using strong signing algorithms, keeping the token expiration short, and implementing token revocation strategies.

Are there alternatives to JWT?

Yes, alternatives include session-based authentication, OAuth, and SAML. Each has its own pros and cons depending on the use case.