OpenID Connect (OIDC): An authentication layer on top of the OAuth 2.0 protocol that allows clients to verify the identity of an end-user based on the authentication performed by an authorization server, as well as to obtain basic profile information about the user in an interoperable and REST-like manner. OpenID Connect allows clients of all types, including web-based, mobile, and JavaScript clients, to request and receive information about authenticated sessions and end-users. It is widely used as a way for users to sign into third-party websites without having to create new passwords, instead using their existing identities from providers like Google, Facebook, or Microsoft. OIDC is designed to be extensible, allowing participants to use it in conjunction with other existing or future authentication and authorization mechanisms.