ID Verification – How to Use the API With Free API Key
Identity verification is among the most crucial aspects of the rising number of online businesses. From fraud prevention to cybersecurity via compliance, knowing who and what you are dealing with has become more important than ever. It is an important security measure that helps to combat account fraud and is helpful in anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) efforts at various financial institutions.
Luckily, the advances in analytics and data technology enable financial institutions to meet regulatory requirements without making it too difficult for customers. APIs find it challenging to verify the identity of the user as claimed. As they expose sensitive and private data, the Application Programming Interface must look for ways to help them identify the user before letting them use the account or software. Otherwise, it could be a huge security gamble.
Since APIs could be a great security measure as they act like the client’s ID, here’s how you can use the API with a free API key.
How to Use an API Key
APIs will need the developers to get a key before making any requests. One needs to document the process on the identity verification API developer’s site. They could tell you the things you need to know before getting started. Sign up for the developer’s account using your email and other essential information. Then you must register the project and enter the information the API owners must know.
Have at least one API key that consists of a randomly generated unique string of characters related to your project. You can even get two keys labeled as private and public keys. You can share the public key with the collaborators, and it offers limited access to the functions and data of the API. On the other hand, you cannot share the private key with anyone. The private key is a definitive identifier of the project, giving you access to the developer’s account and all your data.
Nevertheless, if you want to include the API key in the requests, you may refer to the API documentation to locate where to place the key. Generally, you can find it in the request head or written in the query string followed by the request method. And it is better to use the free API keys before using the paid ones.
1. Select an API
For starters, look for an API you could implement in your business. You may have already chosen your preferred API, especially if you plan to use popular APIs like Google Maps API, Facebook API, etc. Consider the cost and choose free APIs. Once you have chosen the API, the next step would be to go through the API’s documentation.
2. Get an API Key
As mentioned above, one uses the API key to identify themselves as a valid client, set access permissions, and record their interaction with an API. Specific APIs will make the free keys available easily, while others would need you to pay for them. You must sign up with the service provider in both conditions. Then it will assign a unique identifier to you that you must include in the calls.
Remember to key the private API keys similar to the passwords. If you leak the key, anyone could request the API on your behalf. However, if any such breach occurs, you must void the old key and get a new key.
3. Review the API Documentation
The API documentation is an instruction guide teaching you ways to use and implement an API effectively. Besides providing the information needed for working with the API, such as whether you need an API key, this guide will include tutorials and examples.
You can then refer to this documentation to learn how to get your API key, a guide to send the requests, and know the resources you may fetch from the server. It is pretty challenging to underestimate the benefits of high-quality API documentation. It is mainly because the company may offer a strong API. But if the developers do not know how to use it, it would be of no good use to you.
4. Write a Request to An Endpoint
You’ll then draft your first request. The simplest technique is using an HTTP client to assist in formatting and submitting your requests. Although you’ll still need to comprehend and learn from the API’s documentation, you won’t need much coding experience to succeed.
Online tutorials can save the day at this point. As an illustration, this YouTube video demonstrates how to utilize an API to retrieve position information from Google Maps and then use those coordinates to locate related Instagram photographs.
5. Connect Your App
You can sync your application with your preferred API now that you know how to send queries. As a marketer, do not be concerned about this phase of API integration. This is the responsibility of a developer who may use Python, Java, JavaScript (including NodeJS), PHP, and other languages.
The API you’re using likely is one of a certain kind that is thought to be simpler to use than others. These APIs go under the name of REST APIs.
Final Words
Knowing when and how to utilise API Keys is a bit complicated, but they can be helpful and provide you greater control over how others can use your application software. API keys are still used often and are helpful in locating calling projects. When interacting with an API, there’s a strong possibility you’ll need to keep track of one or more.