Cookies and Tokens in Web Applications - A Beginner's Guide

The article "Demystifying Cookies and Tokens" by Tommi Hovi is a great source of knowledge about the differences between cookies and tokens in the web ecosystem. The author explains that cookies are small pieces of data stored in the user's browser, which allow retaining information about sessions, user preferences, or settings. On the other hand, tokens, often used in authorization processes, are usually more complex and can have limited expiration times, which adds an extra layer of security. Hovi also emphasizes the importance of security measures required for both cookies and tokens to protect users from attacks, such as data theft. An interesting analysis is also presented on how cookies and tokens affect user experience online—from content personalization to managing access to resources. This is an important topic that every web developer should understand to design secure and effective web applications better.