# Obtaining an API Key

API Key Security
API Keys grant access to the system via the API with the same permissions as the user that they were created for.

As such they should be treated like passwords and kept secure at all times.

If you believe an API Key to be compromised immediately disable it with the Interu application.

**API Keys** can be created from within a user profile on the Interu platform.

## 1. Navigate to User Settings

![User Settings Dropdown](/assets/usersettings_enter.5b3f28ffc15ef1ed2c879b00a1998267c637844b11e30bd08c6db8c664a8b18f.b8491ea7.png)

## 2. Select API Keys

![API Keys](/assets/usersettings_menu.385ac20cc91163a82bede590b20cf9a6ca6fd6b92f0b5764502b757308f20460.b8491ea7.png)

## 3. Specify API Key

Click **Add New** in the top right side of the page.

Fill out all the details making sure that you give it a name and description that will help you identify this key.

![API Key Details](/assets/addnewapikey.60861742ea56f0eac4eeef63b7129ca5b3bb55bd0949a3ea6a1d080cea85c8d1.b8491ea7.png)

## 4. Record the API Key

The API Key will be displayed to you. Make sure you copy it somewhere. You can copy it simply by clicking on the indicated area.

![API Key](/assets/apikey.cfbee6d916eb2dfdff787174d576964bbb5653ffbdb4357ea29a1fb16786c3a4.b8491ea7.png)

Copy Now
This is the only time that the API Key is available to retrieve. Once this window is dismissed if you haven't copied the API Key then you will have to start again.