How to Change Personal Access Token in Git: A Step-by-Step Guide
As a developer, you know the importance of securing your code and repository to prevent unauthorized access and malicious activities. Git, being one of the most popular version control systems, provides a robust system to handle access control to your Git repository. One of the essential features of this access control system is the personal access token. In this article, we will discuss how to change a personal access token in git, step-by-step.
What is a Personal Access Token?
A personal access token(PAT) is an authentication token used to access resources that require authentication in place of a password. Not only does it provide better security, but it also ensures that your actual password is not visible to anybody, mitigating the risk of security threats.
In Git, you use PAT for authentication purposes instead of using your username and password. PAT is a string of alphanumeric characters generated by you, which acts like a password to your Git account. You can generate a personal access token for read, write, or admin privileges, depending on your needs.
Why Change a Personal Access Token?
There can be various reasons why you might want to change your PAT. For example, your PAT may be exposed accidentally or purposely to unauthorized personnel, or you might want to change your access level or revoke access for someone else. In such cases, it is crucial to change your PAT for security reasons.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Personal Access Token in Git
Here are the step-by-step instructions to change your personal access token in Git:
Step 1: Login to your Git account with your current credentials.
Step 2: Click on your Profile picture, to go to ‘Preferences.’
Step 3: Select ‘Security’ from the side menu.
Step 4: Scroll down to the ‘Personal Access Token’ section and click on ‘Edit.’
Step 5: Enter your current password and click ‘Continue.’
Step 6: In the token name field, click on the ‘Pen’ icon to edit the name. You can also change the expiration date (if enabled), permissions, and scopes if needed.
Step 7: Click on the ‘Generate Token’ button.
Step 8: Copy the new token and paste it into your Git client instead of the old one.
Step 9: Finally, click on the ‘Save Changes’ button.
Conclusion
Personal Access Token is a vital security feature that helps you to authenticate your Git account without exposing your password. Changing your PAT periodically is necessary to avoid unauthorized access to your repository, and it is a straightforward process by following the above steps. Remember to store your new token safely and securely.
In summary, it’s crucial to make your Git repository secure, and personal access token is an important aspect of it. Follow the above steps to change your PAT, and you are good to go!
