JWT, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect
JSON Web Tokens (JWT), OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect are the foundation of modern API security and user authentication in .NET applications. JWT is a compact, URL-safe token format that carries claims (user identity, permissions) and can be validated cryptographically without querying a database. OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework that lets users grant third-party apps access to their resources without sharing passwords. OpenID Connect adds identity authentication on top of OAuth 2.0, making it ideal for single sign-on (SSO) and delegated authentication.
This series teaches you how to implement secure, industry-standard authentication flows in ASP.NET Core, from issuing and validating tokens to integrating external identity providers like Google and Microsoft. You'll learn JWT claims, refresh token rotation, OAuth 2.0 scopes, and best practices that real-world apps depend on.
Articles in this series
- JWT Authentication ASP.NET Core: Guide to Tokens and Claims
- How to Validate JWT Tokens in ASP.NET Core: 5 Key Steps
- What Are JWT Claims and How Do You Extract Them?
- OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code Flow: Step-by-Step Tutorial
- How to Integrate OAuth 2.0 with ASP.NET Core: Practical Guide
- OpenID Connect vs OAuth 2.0: What's the Difference?
- Implementing OpenID Connect in ASP.NET Core: Complete Walkthrough
- JWT Refresh Tokens: How to Implement Secure Token Rotation
- OAuth 2.0 Scopes and Consent: Authorization Best Practices
- Integrating External Identity Providers (Google, Microsoft) in ASP.NET Core