Dynamic

SameSite Cookies vs HTTP Only Cookies

Developers should learn and use SameSite cookies to improve the security of web applications by preventing unauthorized cross-site requests, which is crucial for protecting user sessions and sensitive data meets developers should use http only cookies when handling authentication tokens, session ids, or any sensitive data that should not be exposed to client-side code, particularly in web applications vulnerable to xss attacks. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

SameSite Cookies

Developers should learn and use SameSite cookies to improve the security of web applications by preventing unauthorized cross-site requests, which is crucial for protecting user sessions and sensitive data

SameSite Cookies

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use SameSite cookies to improve the security of web applications by preventing unauthorized cross-site requests, which is crucial for protecting user sessions and sensitive data

Pros

  • +It is particularly important for authentication cookies, where setting SameSite to Strict or Lax can block CSRF attacks, while None (with Secure flag) is used for cross-site scenarios like embedded iframes or third-party integrations
  • +Related to: http-cookies, web-security

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

HTTP Only Cookies

Developers should use HTTP Only Cookies when handling authentication tokens, session IDs, or any sensitive data that should not be exposed to client-side code, particularly in web applications vulnerable to XSS attacks

Pros

  • +It is a best practice for security in modern web development, as it reduces the risk of cookie theft and unauthorized access, making it essential for applications that manage user sessions or personal data
  • +Related to: cross-site-scripting-xss, web-security

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use SameSite Cookies if: You want it is particularly important for authentication cookies, where setting samesite to strict or lax can block csrf attacks, while none (with secure flag) is used for cross-site scenarios like embedded iframes or third-party integrations and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use HTTP Only Cookies if: You prioritize it is a best practice for security in modern web development, as it reduces the risk of cookie theft and unauthorized access, making it essential for applications that manage user sessions or personal data over what SameSite Cookies offers.

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The Bottom Line
SameSite Cookies wins

Developers should learn and use SameSite cookies to improve the security of web applications by preventing unauthorized cross-site requests, which is crucial for protecting user sessions and sensitive data

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev