What is the difference between cookies and tokens?

Cookie and Token are two common methods for authentication and session management, and their differences are as follows:

1. A cookie is a small text file stored in a user’s browser used to transfer data between the browser and server. In authentication, the server generates a cookie containing user identity information and sends it to the browser in the response. The browser then automatically sends this cookie to the server in subsequent requests for the server to verify user identity and manage sessions. Cookies are typically browser-based, allowing for session management across pages and websites.
   A token is an encrypted string containing user identity information, often used for authentication and authorization. During authentication, the server generates a token and sends it to the client (usually after a successful login) as proof of user identity. The client then includes this token in subsequent requests, allowing the server to validate the token’s authenticity and identify the user. Tokens can be stateless, meaning servers do not need to store session information, reducing server load.
2. Cookies stored in the browser may be vulnerable to security issues. If cookies are stolen or tampered with, it could lead to security vulnerabilities. To enhance security, Secure Cookies can be used, which are only transmitted when connected through the HTTPS protocol, preventing sniffing attacks on insecure connections.
   Tokens, on the other hand, are stored on the client side (often in local storage or memory) and are relatively more secure. Since tokens are used as authentication credentials, they need to be encrypted and signed to ensure their authenticity and integrity.
3. Cookies are automatically managed by the browser, including being sent to the server in requests and deleted automatically when they expire. Servers can set the expiration time and domain restrictions for cookies. In general, cookies can be disabled or deleted by the browser. Tokens, on the other hand, need to be manually managed by the client, usually by storing them in local storage or memory. The client needs to manually add the token to the request header or other parameter in each request.

In summary, a cookie is a small text file stored in a browser for passing data between the browser and server, while a token is an encrypted string used for authentication and authorization. Cookies are browser-based and automatically managed by the browser, whereas tokens are stored on the client and require manual management.