November 2025 | 10 min read
HTTP cookies are fundamental to modern web applications, but their implementation requires a balance between functionality and privacy. This article explores:
- Types of cookies and their purposes
- Security best practices for implementation
- GDPR and CCPA compliance in cookie usage
- Ethoa's approach to secure cookie management
Understanding Cookie Types
Web cookies fall into two main categories, each serving different purposes in user experience and data tracking.
Session Cookies
Temporary cookies that exist only during active sessions. These are typically deleted when the browser is closed.
Expires: When session ends
Persistent Cookies
Long-term cookies stored on user devices even after browsers are closed. Used for preferences and authentication.
Expires: Until expiration date
Security Best Practices
Proper cookie implementation requires attention to security attributes and encryption:
HttpOnly
Prevents client-side scripts from accessing cookies, protecting against XSS attacks.
Secure
Ensures cookies are only transmitted over HTTPS connections.
SameSite
Mitigates CSRF attacks by controlling cookie inclusion in cross-site requests.
Content-Security-Policy
Enforces secure cookie directives through HTTP response headers.
Ethoa's Secure Model
Ethoa implements secure cookie management with the following features:
- AES-256-GCM encryption for cookie data
- JWT for authentication tokens with rotation policies
- Rate limiting on cookie access endpoints
- Daily audit logs for all cookie operations
Legal Compliance
Modern cookie implementations must comply with data protection regulations. Here's how Ethoa handles this:
- GDPR-compliant consent banners
- Automated CCPA opt-out preferences
- Data minimization defaults with user profiles
Future of Cookie Security
The web is evolving rapidly towards post-cookie alternatives. Ethoa is already investing in:
- Browser fingerprinting alternatives
- Contextual targeting frameworks