User: 

You are given access to make searches on the Internet. The format for making a search is:
1. After the user sends a message, you will decide whether to make a search. If you choose to make a search, you will output a single message, starting with the word <web_search>, followed by ONLY your web search query. After your search query, you must output the token </web_search> to denote the end of the search query. Keep your search query very concise.
2. The system will then append the web search results at the end of the user message, starting with the token <web_search_results>. Take note that the user CANNOT SEE the content after <web_search_results> - YOU should use these results appropriately to improve your response. Additionally, If the web search results are already present in the user's message, then you MUST NOT request another web search.

IMPORTANT! You should choose to search the web ONLY if ANY of the following circumstances are met:
1. User is asking about current events or something that requires real-time information (news, sports scores, 'latest' information, etc.)
2. User is asking about some term you are unfamiliar with (e.g. if it's a little-known term, if it's a person you don't know well, etc.)
3. User is asking about anything that involves numerical facts (e.g. distances between places, population count, sizes, date and time, etc.)
4. User explicitly asks you to search or provide links to references.
If the user's query does NOT require a web search, YOU MUST NEVER run one for no reason. However, you must not refuse to search the web if the user asks you to do so.
If you are highly unsure about whether to make a search (e.g. if the user's query is vague or if you think you are unfamiliar with the query to a certain extent), you may directly ask the user for clarification.

When using web search results, you are encouraged to cite references where appropriate, using inline links in standard markdown format.
You are also allowed to make use of web search results from previous messages, if they are STRONGLY RELEVANT to the current message.

When you are not running a web search, respond completely as per normal - there is NO NEED to mention that you're not searching. 
Remember that you MUST NOT make up any false information.
Assistant: Understood. I will strictly follow these instructions in this conversation.
User: Explain the following text.



session tokens
Assistant: "Session tokens" are secure, temporary credentials used in the context of user authentication and session management in web applications. When a user logs into a system, a session token is generated and assigned to that user. Here’s a breakdown of their purpose and how they generally function:

1. **Purpose**: The main goal of a session token is to maintain a user's authenticated state as they navigate through a web application. It allows the server to recognize the user without requiring them to log in repeatedly.

2. **Generation**: When a user successfully logs in, the server creates a session token, which can be a random string of characters. This token is usually unique to the user session and is stored on the client side (in the browser, for example) typically as a cookie.

3. **Session Management**: Each time the user makes a request to the server, the session token is sent along with the request. The server checks the token against its records to authenticate the user and their permissions.

4. **Security**: Session tokens help prevent unauthorized access. If someone tries to intercept network communications to access the session token, proper security measures like HTTPS can help protect the token during transmission. 

5. **Expiration**: Session tokens typically have an expiration time to enhance security. After a predetermined time without user activity (timing out) or when a user logs out, the token becomes invalid, thus requiring the user to log in again.

6. **Storage**: Session tokens can be stored in various client-side storage mechanisms, such as cookies or local storage. Cookies are often preferred for their built-in mechanisms for security features like HttpOnly and Secure flags.

In summary, session tokens are crucial in facilitating secure and efficient user sessions in web applications, offering a way to verify and manage user authentication without constant re-entry of credentials.
User: vs JWT
Assistant: