15/04/2025
Do you log in to websites and accept cookies?
If so, you could be exposing yourself to vulnerabilities, especially if the website isn’t updated regularly or lacks proper vulnerability audits to ensure users’ data is secure. Websites that fail to implement these critical safeguards put their visitors at risk.
For instance, if you use a search bar, contact form, or any feature where you input data, but the website hasn’t been properly secured, the business owner is unknowingly putting you in harm's way.
Below is an example of cookies in action during a website session. The website name has been removed to protect its owner’s identity. The two highlighted sections represent cookie session data. If someone were to copy these session details (yes, as simple as copy-and-paste!), they could log in as you without needing your username or password—because the cookie already contains that information.
Scary, isn’t it?
This is why, as a business owner, it’s crucial to ensure your clients’ data is fully protected. Neglecting this not only puts users at risk but could also lead to legal consequences under the Data Protection Act, even if you’re unaware of the breach. As a user, it’s equally important to verify that the businesses you trust online are taking the necessary steps to keep your data safe.
If a hacker has the below cookie and it’s your cookie from a login session, Amazon, eBay, local business or anything, they’ve got your bank details, passwords, usernames, name, address and anything you’ve saved as autofill.
Stay safe out there!
Thanks for being with Hexonn Cybersecurity!