Protection of an online store based on WooCommerce is a key element of protecting customer data and transactions. Two popular methods of authentication are OAuth 2.0 and JWT (JSON Web Token). In this article, we will discuss how to implement these mechanisms in WooCommerce to secure the API and integration with other applications.
1. **OAuth 2.0 – Introduction and Implementation**
**1.1 What is OAuth 2.0?**
OAuth 2.0 is an open authentication standard that allows applications to access user resources without sharing passwords. In WooCommerce, it can be used to protect REST API and enable secure communication with other applications.
**1.2 Online Store – Installation and Configuration of OAuth 2.0**
1. Install the OAuth 2.0 plugin for WooCommerce, e.g. WP OAuth Server.
2. Activate the plugin and go to configuration in the WordPress panel in the section OAuth Server.
3. Register a client application by providing:
* Application name
* Redirect URI address
* Resource access scopes
4. Generate client key and secret.
5. Configure OAuth 2.0 endpoints, e.g.:
* https://twojsklep.pl/oauth/authorize
* https://twojsklep.pl/oauth/token
* https://twojsklep.pl/oauth/resource
**1.3 OAuth 2.0 Authentication Process**
1. User sends an authorization request to the authorize endpoint.
2. The OAuth server displays a login screen for the user.
3. After authorization, the OAuth server returns an authorization code to the client application.
4. The client application exchanges the authorization code for an access token on the token endpoint.
5. The access token is used to authenticate API WooCommerce.
**1.4 Using OAuth 2.0 in WooCommerce API**
To access WooCommerce resources, a client should send an HTTP request with an authorization token in the header:
“`
GET /wp-json/wc/v3/orders
Authorization: Bearer {token}
“`
**2. JWT (JSON Web Token) – Introduction and Implementation**
**2.1 What is JWT?**
JWT is a lightweight and secure way to pass information between parties as JSON encrypted with a private key. In WooCommerce, it can be used for user authentication and API protection.
**2.2 Installation and Configuration of JWT**
1. Install the JWT Authentication for WP REST API plugin:
“`
wp plugin install jwt-authentication-for-wp-rest-api –activate
“`
2. Add configuration to wp-config.php:
“`php
define(‘JWT_AUTH_SECRET_KEY’, ‘your_secret_key’);
define(‘JWT_AUTH_CORS_ENABLE’, true);
“`
3. Add rules to .htaccess (for Apache):
“`
RewriteCond %{HTTP:Authorization} ^(.*)
RewriteRule ^(.*) – [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%1]
“`
Or for Nginx:
“`
fastcgi_param HTTP_AUTHORIZATION $http_authorization;
“`
4. Restart the server and make sure changes are applied.
**2.3 JWT Authentication Process**
1. User sends login data to the token endpoint wp-json/jwt-auth/v1/token:
“`bash
POST /wp-json/jwt-auth/v1/token
Content-Type: application/json
{
“username”: “admin”,
“password”: “haslo”
}
“`
2. The server returns a JWT token:
“`json
{
“token”: “eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIs…”,
“user_email”: “admin@twojsklep.pl”,
“user_nicename”: “admin”,
“user_display_name”: “Administrator”
}
“`
3. User uses the JWT token in the header for API requests:
“`
GET /wp-json/wc/v3/orders
Authorization: Bearer eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIs…
“`
**2.4 Token Refresh and Revocation**
To revoke a JWT token, you can set its shorter lifetime and force re-login.
**3. OAuth 2.0 vs. JWT – Which Solution to Choose?**
| Feature | OAuth 2.0 | JWT |
| — | — | — |
| Security | High, requires server authorization | Good, but requires key protection |
| Performance | May require additional requests | Very fast |
| API Support | REST API, mobile apps | REST API, mobile apps |
| Scalability | Requires token storage | Self-encoded |
**Recommendation:**
* **OAuth 2.0** is best for applications requiring high security and control over sessions.
* **JWT** is better for applications requiring fast authentication and less server load.
**Summary:**
Protecting WooCommerce through **OAuth 2.0** or **JWT** allows secure user authentication and API protection. The choice of method depends on project requirements – if scalability and speed are important, consider **JWT**, while if control over access and authorization is key, **OAuth 2.0** is a better solution.
Thanks to these mechanisms, your WooCommerce store will be more resistant to unauthorized requests and attacks.
