oAuth vs OIDC: Understanding the Differences
OpenID and OAuth are two of the most popular authentication and authorization protocols used today. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes.
In our previous posts, we talked about oAuth and OIDC in detail. If you haven’t read them yet and want to refresh your knowledge, please check those out.
OpenID and OAuth are two of the most popular authentication and authorization protocols used today. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes. In this post, we'll take a closer look at OpenID and OAuth, highlighting their differences and use cases.
OpenID
OpenID is an authentication protocol that allows users to access multiple websites using a single set of login credentials. It is an open standard that enables users to authenticate themselves without having to create new usernames and passwords for each site they visit.
OpenID works by redirecting the user to an authentication server, which verifies the user's identity and sends the user back to the original website. The user's identity is then verified using a unique identifier, which is linked to the user's account on the authentication server.
OpenID is primarily used for authentication purposes, and it is not designed for authorization. It does not provide any access control or permission management.
OAuth
OAuth is an authorization protocol that allows users to grant access to their resources to third-party applications without sharing their credentials. It is designed to give users control over their data and privacy.
OAuth works by providing a token, which authorizes a third-party application to access the user's resources. The user can revoke this token at any time, giving them complete control over who can access their data.
OAuth is primarily used for authorization purposes, and it does not authenticate the user. It does not provide any login or identity verification functionality.
Differences and Use Cases
In summary, OpenID is used to authenticate users, while OAuth is used to authorize third-party applications. Both protocols have their own specific use cases, and they can be used together to provide a comprehensive authentication and authorization solution.
When it comes to choosing between OpenID and OAuth, it's important to consider the use case. If you want to provide users with a single set of login credentials to access multiple websites, OpenID is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want to give third-party applications access to a user's resources without sharing their credentials, OAuth is the better choice.
It's worth noting that both protocols have their own limitations. OpenID does not provide access control or permission management, while OAuth does not authenticate the user. Therefore, it's important to use these protocols in combination with other security measures to ensure a secure and reliable authentication and authorization system.