title: What's the purpose of Django setting ‘SECRET_KEY’?
body: <p>I did a few google searches and checked out the docs ( <a href="https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/ref/settings/#secret-key" rel="noreferrer">https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/ref/settings/#secret-key</a> ), but I was looking for a more in-depth explanation of this, and why it is required.</p>
  <p>For example, what could happen if the key was compromised / others knew what it was?</p>