@lew
There is no way to hide the API key completely when developing a pure HTML or JavaScript website. Since these languages are executed on the client-side, the code is visible to users and they can easily inspect it.
However, there are a few practices you can follow to minimize the risk of exposing your API key:
- Use server-side scripting: Instead of making API calls directly from the client-side, you can use server-side scripting languages like PHP, Python, or Node.js. This way, you can securely handle the API key on the server without exposing it to the client.
- Proxy server: Set up a proxy server that acts as an intermediary between the client and the API. The client makes requests to the proxy server, which in turn makes the requests to the API, allowing you to store the API key securely on the server.
- Environment variables: If you are using a server-side language, you can store the API key as an environment variable on the server. This ensures that the key is not exposed in the codebase. You can then access the environment variable when making API calls.
- Limited access: Some APIs allow you to restrict access by providing a whitelist of domains or IP addresses. You can limit the API key's usage to your own domain to prevent others from using it on their websites.
Remember, while these practices can help secure your API key during development, you should also take additional security measures when deploying the website to a live environment.