Definition
OAuth is an open standard for access delegation, commonly referred to as OAuth 2.0. It allows a user to grant a third-party application limited access to their resources on another service without sharing their credentials. In practice, this involves a user authorizing an application to access their data, like photos or contacts, from a platform such as Google or Facebook. This is crucial for modern application development, enabling seamless integration and user experience while enhancing security by avoiding direct password sharing. For example, when you use your Google account to log into a new app, OAuth is the protocol facilitating that secure connection. It is important to distinguish OAuth from authentication protocols like OpenID Connect, which focuses on verifying user identity. You will encounter OAuth concepts on cybersecurity certifications such as Security+, CySA+, and CISSP.