🍪 Cookie Testing for Better Results: Best Practices by DogQ

Discover the importance of cookie testing in enhancing user experience and driving business growth, and get the best practices offered by DogQ.

As we all know, in the modern IT world cookies are a must for any website for enabling personalized content and tracking user behavior. However, effective cookie management and testing are also needed to ensure that they function correctly and securely. In this article, the DogQ specialists present best practices for cookie testing, helping businesses optimize their use and improve overall website performance.

By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that your cookies deliver the intended results, maintain compliance with privacy regulations, and enhance user satisfaction. Here we go!

Table of contents

What Are the Core Types of Cookies?

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Cookies are small text files stored on a user’s device while they’re browsing some website. They are placed there for various purposes: from remembering user preferences to tracking user behavior for analytics.

Here are their main types:

  1. Session: These cookies are temporary and are deleted from the user’s device once the browser is closed. They help maintain the user’s session on a website, enabling features like login authentication and keeping items in a shopping cart.
  2. Persistent: Unlike session cookies, persistent cookies remain on the user’s device for a specified duration or until they are manually deleted. They are used to remember user preferences, login information, and settings across multiple sessions.
  3. First-Party: They are set by the website that the user is currently visiting. They are often used to enhance the user experience by remembering preferences and providing personalized content.
  4. Third-Party: These cookies are set by domains other than the one the user is visiting, typically for tracking and advertising purposes. They enable advertisers to collect data about users’ browsing habits across different sites, raising privacy concerns.
  5. Secure: They can only be transmitted over secure HTTPS connections, providing an added layer of security. They are commonly used for sensitive data, such as login credentials.
  6. HttpOnly: This type cannot be accessed via JavaScript, helping to protect against cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. They are particularly useful for enhancing security around sensitive session data.
  7. SameSite: This attribute helps prevent cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks by controlling how cookies are sent with cross-site requests. There are three options: Strict, Lax, and None, each offering different levels of protection.

Understanding these different types of cookies is essential for effective testing and management, as each type has its own implications for user experience, privacy, and security.

Now, let’s define what’s the difference between a cookie and a session:

Parameter

Cookie

Session

Storage Location

Stored on the client-side (user’s device)

Stored on the server side

Lifetime

Can be persistent (set with an expiration date) or session-based (deleted when the browser is closed)

Typically lasts until the user logs out or the session times out (server-defined)

Data Capacity

Limited storage capacity (usually up to 4KB per cookie)

Larger data storage capacity as it can hold more information on the server

Security

Can be accessed via JavaScript if not marked as HttpOnly, making them potentially vulnerable

More secure since data is stored on the server; users can’t access session data directly

Usage

Ideal for storing user preferences, authentication tokens, and tracking user behavior

Best for storing sensitive data related to a user’s session, such as login status or shopping cart contents

Data Sharing

Cookies can be shared across different pages and subdomains

Sessions are typically limited to the domain that created them, enhancing security

Management

Managed through browser settings, allowing users to view and delete cookies

Managed by the server, with no direct access for users to view or delete session data

Understanding the differences between cookies and sessions is crucial for effective web application development and management, as each serves distinct purposes in handling user data and enhancing user experience.

Why Do We Need Cookies Testing?

Cookies in software testing are a critical aspect of ensuring that web applications function effectively, securely, and in compliance with regulations. Here are the key factors that highlight the importance of cookie testing:

Functionality

Cookies play a vital role in the functionality of web applications. Testing ensures that cookies are correctly set, read, and updated, allowing essential features such as user authentication, session management, and shopping cart functionality to work seamlessly. Proper functionality testing helps identify any issues that could disrupt user interactions and negatively impact the overall performance of the website.

Security

Security is paramount in today’s digital environment, especially when it comes to handling sensitive information. Cookies can be a target for various attacks, including cross-site scripting (XSS) and session hijacking. Testing cookies helps ensure that security attributes, such as Secure and HttpOnly flags, are correctly implemented, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and protecting user data.

Privacy Compliance

With regulations like GDPR and CCPA, compliance with privacy laws is crucial for any business that collects user data. Cookie testing verifies that cookies are being used appropriately and that users are informed about cookie usage through consent banners and privacy policies. This ensures that businesses adhere to legal requirements and maintain trust with their users.

Cross-Browser and Cross-Device Compatibility

Users access websites from a variety of browsers and devices, making cross-browser and cross-device compatibility essential. Testing cookies across different environments ensures that they function consistently, regardless of the user’s chosen browser or device. This compatibility helps provide a uniform experience, minimizing potential issues that could arise from differing cookie behaviors.

User Experience

Ultimately, the goal of using cookies is to enhance user experience. Testing cookies ensures that personalization features work as intended, such as remembering user preferences, language settings, and login information. A smooth and consistent user experience encourages engagement, increases retention rates, and fosters customer loyalty.

How to Test Cookies in a Website

Testing cookies effectively requires a variety of strategies to ensure they function as intended across different scenarios. Here are some common methods for testing cookies on a website:

This approach involves inspecting cookies directly through the browser’s developer tools. By navigating to the Application tab in Chrome DevTools (or equivalent in other browsers), testers can view all cookies set by the website. This allows for verification of attributes such as name, value, expiration date, and path, ensuring they meet the expected criteria.

2. Disable Cookies

Testing how a website behaves with cookies disabled helps identify potential issues that may arise if users choose not to accept cookies. This strategy assesses whether the website can still function correctly and whether fallback mechanisms are in place for essential features.

3. Corrupting Cookies

By intentionally altering cookie values or formats, testers can evaluate how the website responds to corrupted cookies. This helps identify vulnerabilities or areas where the application might fail gracefully, ensuring robust error handling.

4. Removing Cookies

Testing the removal of cookies, either through the browser settings or programmatically, allows testers to assess how the website reacts when user sessions or preferences are lost. This strategy is essential for understanding the impact on user experience and ensuring proper session management.

5. Cross-Browser Compatibility

Since different browsers may handle cookies differently, it’s crucial to test how cookies behave across various environments (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge). This ensures consistent functionality and user experience, regardless of the browser being used.

6. Editing Cookies

Using developer tools or browser extensions, testers can modify cookie values to see how the website responds. This helps verify that the application correctly handles changes in cookie data and maintains security.

7. Encryption of Cookies

Testing the encryption of cookies is essential for ensuring that sensitive data stored in cookies is protected from unauthorized access. Verify that cookies containing sensitive information are encrypted and that decryption occurs correctly when needed.

8. Plugin to Test Cookies

Several browser plugins and tools can assist in testing cookies more efficiently. These tools can provide additional functionalities, such as viewing, editing, and deleting cookies, and may offer more advanced features like automated testing scripts and reporting. There are various extensions and plugins available for testing and editing cookies, for example:

  • EditThisCookie: A cookie editor and Google Chrome extension that allows users to manage their cookies easily;
  • Check My Cookies: This tool analyzes cookies and provides information on whether a website is safe or not.

By employing these strategies, testers can comprehensively evaluate the behavior, security, and functionality of cookies within a website, ensuring a seamless user experience and robust application performance.

When you test cookies on a website, it’s essential to cover various aspects to ensure functionality, security, and user experience. Here are some key test cases to consider:

1. Data Privacy and Encryption

  • Test Case: Verify that cookies containing sensitive information (e.g., session IDs, user credentials) are encrypted;
  • Objective: Ensure that sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access and that the cookies adhere to data privacy regulations.
  • Test Case: Check if cookies are set, updated, and deleted correctly during user interactions (e.g., logging in, changing preferences);
  • Objective: Validate that the application uses cookies appropriately to store user sessions and preferences without errors.

3. Cross-Browser and Cross-Device Compatibility

  • Test Case: Test cookie functionality across different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and devices (desktop, tablet, mobile);
  • Objective: Ensure that cookies behave consistently, maintaining user sessions and preferences regardless of the environment.
  • Test Case: Verify that cookies expire after the designated duration and that they are removed from the user’s device after expiration;
  • Objective: Ensure that session management is handled correctly and that expired cookies do not persist, preventing unauthorized access.

These test cases are crucial for ensuring the robustness and security of cookies within a web application, contributing to a seamless user experience.

Let’s examine cookie testing in practice using the DogQ tool. At DogQ, apart from basic functions like validation of the cookie’s name and value (that it’s not empty), we have a super feature called “Allowed list” for checking your website for allowed-list cookies. It allows you to test all the cookies you should have on a website in bulk. Let’s see how it works.

Test Case ID: TC_Cookie_001

Test Case Title: Validate that your website has all the necessary cookies set.

Preconditions: The user is logged into the application, and cookies should be enabled in the browser settings.

Steps:

  1. Navigate to your website’s page;
  2. Open the DogQ tool, create a Scenario, and insert your website’s URL into the “Go to” step;
  3. Then recreate the “Sign In” flow for your website (for demo purposes, it’s a Sign In Macro here);
  4. Finally, choose the “Cookies” step, then the “Allowed list” variant and insert a comma-separated list of cookies’ names (with no white-spaces) to inspect the cookies stored by the website;
  5. Press “Execute” and analyze the results.

Expected Results:

  • The cookies should be created successfully upon logging in;
  • Only the specified cookies from the list should be set on the website;
  • Cookies should maintain their integrity and functionality throughout the session.

Postconditions: Log out of the application and clear cookies from the browser to ensure no residual data is left.

Conclusion

As we can see, by understanding the different types of cookies, implementing rigorous testing strategies, and utilizing the right tools, businesses can optimize cookie performance and enhance overall website functionality.

From ensuring data privacy and security to improving customer engagement and retention, thorough cookie testing can lead to significant benefits. By adopting the best practices outlined in this article, organizations can ensure their cookies deliver the intended results, paving the way for a seamless and enjoyable user experience.

At DogQ, we specialize in providing comprehensive QA solutions, including cookie testing services, to help you ensure the highest quality standards for your web applications. Our expert team is dedicated to supporting your testing needs and optimizing your processes for better results. By adopting the best practices outlined in this article, organizations can ensure their cookies deliver the intended results, paving the way for a seamless and enjoyable user experience.


Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Cookies Stored?

Cookies are stored on the user’s device by the web browser. Each time a user visits a website, the browser retrieves the relevant cookies from storage to provide a seamless browsing experience. Cookies can typically be found in the browser’s settings or developer tools under the “Application” or “Storage tabs”, depending on the browser being used.

Cookie testing involves verifying that cookies function as intended within a web application. This includes checking for proper creation, storage, and retrieval of cookies, as well as ensuring that attributes such as expiration dates, security flags, and privacy compliance are correctly implemented. Effective cookie testing helps maintain user sessions, enhance user experience, and ensure data security.

There are various tools and browser extensions available for cookie testing. Popular cookie checkers are:

  • EditThisCookie: A Chrome extension that allows users to view, edit, and manage cookies easily;
  • Check My Cookies: A tool that checks the cookies set by a website and assesses their safety;
  • Browser Developer Tools: Built-in tools in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari enable users to inspect cookies, modify them, and test their functionality.

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