What’s the best method to secure cookies in authentication?
Asked on Sep 26, 2025
Answer
To secure cookies in authentication, use the `Secure`, `HttpOnly`, and `SameSite` attributes to protect them from being accessed by unauthorized parties and reduce the risk of cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.
<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
Set-Cookie: sessionId=abc123; Secure; HttpOnly; SameSite=Strict
<!-- END COPY / PASTE -->Additional Comment:
- Secure: Ensures the cookie is only sent over HTTPS, protecting it from being intercepted in transit.
- HttpOnly: Prevents JavaScript from accessing the cookie, mitigating the risk of XSS attacks.
- SameSite: Controls whether the cookie is sent with cross-site requests, reducing CSRF attack vectors. Use
StrictorLaxbased on your application's needs.
✅ Answered with Security best practices.
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