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Discover the role of public key in JWT implementations and how to effectively manage security using *private keys* and *shared secrets* in your applications.
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Understanding JWT and Where to Provide the Public Key in Your Implementation

When working with JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) for authentication, you may find yourself confused about the roles of private and public keys, especially in implementations that utilize asymmetric signing. If you're using the github.com/dgrijalva/jwt-go library in Go, you might be wondering how to incorporate a public key within the JWT creation process. In this guide, we will clarify this confusion and guide you through the nuances of JWT signing methods.

The JWT Signing Methods

Before we dive into the solution, it’s crucial to understand JWT signing methods. There are generally two types of algorithms used:

Symmetric Signing: (e.g., HS256) - In symmetric signing, the same secret key is used for both signing and verifying the JWT. In this model, you don’t generate a public key; you work with a shared secret.

Asymmetric Signing: (e.g., RS256) - In asymmetric signing, there is a pair of keys involved: a public key and a private key. The private key is used to sign the JWT, while the public key is used for verification.

Your Current Implementation

In your current implementation using HS256, the secret is managed with an environment variable:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Key Issue: Public Key Not Used in HS256

Since you are using the HS256 signing method, it’s important to note that there is no public key involved. Instead, both the issuer of the JWT and the recipient utilize the same shared secret (ACCESS_SECRET) to validate the token. This means there's no need for a public key in this context.

As clarified in your inquiry, here is what you need to remember regarding HS256:

HS256 is a symmetric algorithm, meaning the secret is known only to the party creating the token and the party validating it.

No public/private key pair is necessary for this signing method; you only work with the secret.

Conclusion

If you are operating in an environment where you wish to publish your JWT for others to validate, and you prefer to use asymmetric signing, you may want to consider switching to an algorithm like RS256. This will involve generating a public key to share with your users while keeping the private key secure on your server.

For now, as you utilize HS256 with the github.com/dgrijalva/jwt-go library, simply focus on securely managing your shared secret. Keeping this secret safe is crucial to maintaining the integrity and security of your application.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions about JWTs or implementation issues!