What are the differences between SameSite cookies and traditional cookies?

What are the differences between SameSite cookies and traditional cookies?

SameSite cookies are designed to prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks by restricting how cookies are sent with cross-site requests. Traditional cookies, on the other hand, can be sent with any request, which can make them more vulnerable to such attacks.

Can you explain how SameSite cookies enhance security?

Sure! SameSite cookies have three settings: 'Strict', 'Lax', and 'None'. 'Strict' means cookies are only sent in a first-party context, 'Lax' allows cookies to be sent with top-level navigation, and 'None' allows cookies to be sent in all contexts but requires the Secure attribute.

Are there any downsides to using SameSite cookies?

Yes, one downside is that if not configured properly, they can break functionality on websites that rely on third-party cookies for features like social media logins or embedded content.

How do I implement SameSite cookies in my web application?

You can implement SameSite cookies by setting the SameSite attribute in your cookie header. For example, in PHP, you can use setcookie('name', 'value', ['samesite' => 'Strict']);.