Cookies and Cybersecurity: Why Hackers Love Them

When you visit a website, it sends cookies to your browser, small text files containing data about you. Cookies simplify your interaction with the website by storing settings and information.

An important element is the session ID, a unique code assigned to each user upon login. Stealing this code allows third parties to impersonate the legitimate user.

Cookies are classified according to storage time, origin, and importance. They include session cookies, persistent cookies, first-party cookies, and third-party cookies.

Cookies containing a session ID are the most tempting targets for hackers. Techniques such as session hijacking, session sniffing, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF) are used to steal cookies.

To stay safe online:

• Enter personal data only on HTTPS websites.
• Pay attention to browser notifications.
• Update your browser regularly.
• Clear cookies and cache regularly.
• Do not follow suspicious links.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Reject accepting all cookies.
• Connect to public Wi-Fi networks only as a last resort.