What are API Keys?
What exactly are API Keys?
API Keys are unique alphanumerical strings assigned to clients that grant them access to an API and its services. API keys provide client authentication and authorization to reduce the risk of API attacks.
APIs authenticate a project using the unique API key to identify the application requesting to use it. An API does not identify the person requesting access (user authentication) but rather the application (client authentication).
API Keys also identify a client's level of authorization. For example, clients on different payment plans for the same API will have different access to the service, such as restrictions on API calls.
The API owner can also use API Keys to monitor, log, and track client behavior. This is an important security measure, as attackers or bots can be identified and filtered out or even denied access.
APIs can give access to potentially sensitive or personal data. If this is the case, keeping API Keys hidden is vital to prevent data exposure. Never expose your API Keys in public or client-side code. Instead, always deal with API key credentials in server-side code or use methods like environment variables.