You can create an AccessKey pair for an Alibaba Cloud account or a RAM user. When you call API operations, you must use the AccessKey pair to complete identity verification.

Background information

An AccessKey pair consists of an AccessKey ID and an AccessKey secret.
  • AccessKey ID: used to verify the identity of a user.
  • AccessKey secret: used to verify the password of a user. You must keep your AccessKey secret strictly confidential.
Warning If the AccessKey pair of your Alibaba Cloud account is disclosed, your resources are exposed to potential risks. We recommend that you use the AccessKey pair of a RAM user. This minimizes the possibility of disclosing the AccessKey pair of your Alibaba Cloud account.

Procedure

  1. Use an Alibaba Cloud account to log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console.
  2. Move the pointer over the profile picture in the upper-right corner of the page and click AccessKey Management.
  3. In the Note dialog box, click Use Current AccessKey Pair or Use AccessKey Pair of RAM User.
    Note
    • Obtain the AccessKey pair of an Alibaba Cloud account
      1. Click Use Current AccessKey Pair.
      2. On the AccessKey Management page, click Create AccessKey.
      3. After you create an AccessKey pair, you can view the pair information in the Create AccessKey dialog box. You can also click Download CSV File to download the pair information, or click Copy to copy the pair information.Create an AccessKey pair
    • Obtain the AccessKey pair of a RAM user
      1. Click Use AccessKey Pair of RAM User.
      2. On the Users page of the RAM console, find the RAM user whose AccessKey pair you want to obtain.
        Note If you do not have a RAM user, create the RAM user first. For more information, see Create a RAM user.
      3. Click the name of the RAM user in the User Logon Name/Display Name column.
      4. In the User AccessKeys section of the Authentication tab, click Create AccessKey.
      5. After you create an AccessKey pair, you can view the pair information in the Create AccessKey dialog box. You can also click Download CSV File to download the pair information, or click Copy to copy the pair information.Create an AccessKey pair
        Note
        • The AccessKey secret is displayed only after you create an AccessKey pair. You cannot query the AccessKey secret in subsequent operations. Therefore, you must keep your AccessKey secret confidential.
        • If your AccessKey pair is disclosed or lost, you must create another AccessKey pair. You can create a maximum of two AccessKey pairs for a RAM user.