session management questions

JWT improves scalability in distributed systems by eliminating the need for server-side session management. Since JWTs are self-contained and stateless, they include all necessary information for authentication within the token itself. This allows multiple servers or services to validate tokens independently without relying on a centralized session store. As a result, distributed systems can handle higher loads and scale more effectively because they do not need to synchronize or manage session state across multiple instances.

Best practices for managing user sessions include using secure cookies with the HttpOnly and Secure flags to prevent access via JavaScript and ensure transmission over HTTPS. Implement session timeouts and inactivity expiration to limit session duration. Regularly regenerate session IDs to protect against session fixation attacks. Use proper session storage mechanisms and avoid storing sensitive information in client-side storage. Additionally, implement session invalidation on logout to ensure that user sessions are terminated effectively and cannot be reused.