How does an expiration date work for login sessions?

An expiration date defines how long a session remains active before it automatically ends, helping protect accounts from prolonged unattended access. In technical terms, when a user logs in, the platform assigns a session token, a temporary digital credential that authenticates the user's connection and allows them to interact with the platform without re-entering their login details for every action. This token has a built-in lifespan, and once that lifespan is reached, the token expires, and the session is terminated.

There are generally two types of session expiration that work together. Idle timeout ends a session after a specific period of inactivity. For example, if no clicks, trades, or navigation events are detected for a set number of minutes. This protects against scenarios where a user walks away from their device without logging out. Absolute timeout sets a maximum total session duration regardless of activity. This means that even a continuously active session will eventually expire and require re-authentication. This second layer provides protection against session hijacking attempts by limiting the overall window during which a session token remains valid, and ensures that the user's identity is periodically re-verified through a fresh login.

When a session reaches its expiration point, the platform immediately invalidates the session token, meaning it can no longer be used to access account functions, even if someone attempts to use it. The user is redirected to the login screen and must complete the full authentication process again, including two-factor verification if enabled. This re-authentication step confirms that the person attempting to access the account is still the legitimate owner. While session expiration may seem like a technical background process, it plays a vital role in account protection by ensuring that no session remains open indefinitely. Users who want to maintain the best possible security posture should view session expiration as a helpful safeguard rather than an inconvenience, and should always log out manually when they have finished using the platform rather than relying solely on automatic expiration.