Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

Which security measure stores data securely for future requests while browsing a website?

1. Integrity checks

2. Encryption protocols

3. Secure cookies

4. Access controls

The correct answer is: Secure cookies

The correct answer is secure cookies, which play a vital role in maintaining security while browsing a website. Secure cookies are specific types of HTTP cookies that are only sent to the server over secure connections, such as HTTPS. This ensures that any data stored in these cookies, which can include session identifiers or sensitive user information, is transmitted securely and is less vulnerable to interception by attackers. Secure cookies enhance user privacy and security because they enable the web application to remember user preferences or maintain session states without exposing that information to network eavesdroppers. Additionally, secure cookies can have attributes that enforce their intended use, such as the HttpOnly flag, which helps mitigate the risk of cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by preventing access to the cookie via JavaScript. In contrast, integrity checks relate to verifying that data has not been altered or tampered with, which is essential for ensuring data authenticity but does not specifically address the secure storage of data during web browsing. Encryption protocols are crucial for securing data in transit and protecting it from unauthorized access while being transmitted over networks but do not focus on the in-browser storage aspect. Access controls pertain to limiting who can view or edit certain resources but do not deal with the secure storage of data for browser sessions specifically.