SecurityBeginner
API Key
PronunciationAY-pee KEE
Definition
An API key is a unique secret token passed in HTTP requests to identify the calling application or project to a service provider.
Where you hear it
In backend integration discussions, developer settings dashboards, and security configurations.
Examples
Include the API key in the request header to authenticate your weather service calls.
Never expose your secret API key in frontend client code.
Common mistake
Treating an API key like a user password and hardcoding it directly in public source code repositories.