Renewing the Access Token

To reduce security risks, access tokens have a finite lifespan. Renewing the access token allows the application to access and protect resources without adding unnecessary load to the authentication API.

The access token must be updated to maintain access.

One simple approach is to check the exp field. If the expiration time is approaching, use the Refresh Token to obtain a new access/refresh token pair.

1. Ensure both the new refresh and access tokens are kept secure.
2. If a 401 error occurs during token refresh, reauthenticate with your credentials to obtain a new access/refresh token pair.
3. Refresh tokens are "one-time-use" and are invalidated almost immediately after use. This security measure, called refresh token reuse detection, prevents token interception and helps detect compromised channels. If the system detects a compromised refresh token, the application receives a 401 error and the "reuse detected" event is recorded in the system audit trail. For multithreaded implementations consuming authID APIs, it is crucial to monitor usage carefully and avoid using refresh tokens multiple times.