With the ever-increasing cybersecurity risks, the need for access keys is increasing. An access key basically authenticates a user/app to grant them access to a system or service, such as an API. Thus, it serves as a valuable security tool. However, access keys are often used in various contexts, such as accessing APIs, cloud services, databases, and more. Sometimes, an access key also refers to a keyboard shortcut to access a webpage or navigate an app’s UI.
This article will cover the basic concept of the access key and its usage in various contexts.
Table of Contents
What is an Access Key?
As aforementioned, access keys are used in various contexts, from keyboard shortcuts to authentication credentials for accessing an API, a cloud platform, a database, etc.
In terms of keyboard shortcuts, access keys are used to access specific features/functionality within a browser or an application. They are essentially shortcuts that users can utilize to quickly navigate through the UI without solely relying on a mouse or touch input.
For example, we can use “Ctrl + h” in Chrome to open the browser history in a new tab. Similarly, pressing “Ctrl + j” in Chrome will open the download page in a new tab. There are many other shortcuts for Chrome and other browsers to access a feature quickly.
Similarly, access keys can be used in applications to quickly trigger commands or navigate between different sections of the UI. These intuitive shortcuts are designed to enhance the usability and accessibility of an app and improve the user experience.
Access keys are also used as a security mechanism to authenticate users to grant access to an API, a cloud service, or a database. We’ll discuss more about it in the next section.
What is an API Access Key?
An API called an Application Programming Interface allows two applications or software to interact and exchange data.It also enables developers to integrate specific functionality or data within their apps.
An API key or API access key is a unique identifier used to authenticate a user or an application making a request to the API. It’s usually an alphanumeric string that we need to add to the API URL when making an API call or API request. Here is an example API call illustrating how to authenticate with an API (ipstack in this case) using an API access key:
API keys are used as a security measure. They operate as an ID card for the client executing an API request, allowing APIs to give the appropriate access privileges and monitor how their information is being used. With access keys, APIs can create significant security risks.
API keys are basically used for authentication and authorization:
- Authentication: Each user or app has its own unique API key, which is used to identify the app making the API call.
- Authorization: The API key ensures that the app making the API request has permission to use the API. Sometimes, even when an app has permission to access an API, it might only be allowed to use a limited set of API features. API keys also authorize requests to ensure that the app can only access the API services or functionality it is authorized to access.
To reduce exposure and maintain security best practices, it’s recommended to create access keys for a given timeframe and regenerate your new access key regularly.
What is a Cloud Access Key?
In the context of cloud services, access keys are credentials used to authenticate and authorize access to resources within a cloud environment. These keys are designed to securely connect applications, services, or users to cloud-based resources. These include databases, virtual machines, storage buckets, and APIs.
Access keys in cloud services are often provided as pairs (two access keys): an access key ID and a secret access key. These keys are generated and provided by cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
How do I Find My Access Key?
In terms of keyboard shortcuts for web browsers, you can find access key shortcuts in the menu of the given web browser.
You can also find a specific browser’s shortcuts with a simple Google search.
In terms of the API key, you first need to sign up and create an account. You can then find your unique API access key in your API dashboard.
Why do we Need Access Keys?
People who have difficulty controlling the mouse or using the touch interface may benefit from access keys. They can use these keys to access:
- Specific pages within a browser
- Save files
- Open new windows,
- Copy and paste text and more.
Moreover, adding “hotkey” functions to a website or web app by assigning access keys to menu items allows frequent visitors to spend less time shifting and clicking the mouse. Thus, these keys provide an intuitive way to access specific pages or features of a website or web app. This, in turn, enhances the user experience.
In terms of an API, an access key serves as a security mechanism. It is used to authenticate and authorize a user or an app. The API verifies the API key submitted in a request against its client database. It then accepts or rejects the query. If the request is approved, the API allows the client access to the API’s data and capabilities based on the client’s right of access, which is also tied to the API key.
API owners can also use API keys to track API activity. For example, they can use it to track requests and the number of requests originating from specific customers. API administrators can also sort by key to see all queries from a specific client because each request has a unique key.
When it comes to protecting the API from malicious traffic, this monitoring capability is extremely critical. Hackers regularly target APIs by forging credentials, injecting malicious code or flooding the API server with queries. An API can utilize keys to prevent requests from a specific user or prevent anonymous bot activity.
How to Use an Access Key?
As discussed in the previous sections, you can use specific keyboard shortcuts to open a specific page within a browser. For example, pressing “Ctrl + T” in Chrome will open a new tab. Similarly, you can use different shortcuts for opening different pages, depending on your browser.
To use an API access key, you first need to create an account. You can then obtain your API key from your dashboard. Typically, you need to append the access key to the API’s base URL to make an API call.
Conclusion
An access key is used in various contexts. It is referred to as a keyboard shortcut within a web browser or an app to access a specific web page or feature. For example, we can use “Ctrl + h” in the Chrome web browser to open the browser history in a new tab.
Access keys are also used in the context of APIs, cloud services, databases, etc. An API key, or application programming interface key, is a code that computer programs use to communicate with one another. The API key is then used by the software or application to authenticate its user or the calling application. Application programming keys are also used to track and regulate an interface. This is frequently done to avoid harmful or abusive API usage in question.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the meaning of an access key?
An access key is a keyboard shortcut that we can use within a web browser, a website, or an app to access a specific page, feature or functionality without relying on the mouse or touch interface.
What is the access key on a keyboard?
It is a shortcut, typically a combination of two or more keys. It allows us to access a web page or feature within a web browser or an app using the keyboard.
Where do I find my access key?
You can find keyboard shortcuts within a web browser’s menu. In terms of an API, you can find your access key within your API dashboard.
