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Our development team can help implement secure authentication flows, OAuth2, JWT best practices, and identity management solutions.
Understanding JWT Structure
A JWT has three parts separated by dots: Header.Payload.Signature
Header
Contains token type (JWT) and signing algorithm (HS256, RS256, etc.). Base64URL encoded.
Payload
Contains claims (user data, expiration, issuer, etc.). Base64URL encoded. Not encrypted - anyone can read this.
Signature
Verifies token hasn\'t been tampered with. Created by signing header+payload with secret or private key.
JWT Best Practices
- Keep tokens short-lived: Use 15-60 minute expiration times
- Use refresh tokens: Issue new access tokens without re-authentication
- Never store secrets in JWTs: Payload is visible to anyone
- Always verify signatures: Check token hasn\'t been tampered with
- Validate all claims: Check exp, iss, aud, nbf before trusting token
- Use HTTPS only: Prevent token interception
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the JWT Decoder
A JWT is a compact, URL-safe token format used for securely transmitting information between parties. It consists of three parts: header (algorithm and token type), payload (claims/data), and signature (for verification). JWTs are commonly used for authentication and information exchange.
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