Unveiling the Intricacies of Local Storage and Session Storage
Blog post from SuperTokens
Local Storage and Session Storage are two types of web storage that help developers manage data on the client side, each with distinct characteristics and use cases. Local Storage is designed for long-term data persistence, retaining information even after browser restarts or computer reboots, making it suitable for tasks like storing authentication tokens and shopping cart data, although it's limited by a 5MB capacity and security vulnerabilities such as XSS attacks. In contrast, Session Storage is temporary and tab-specific, clearing data once the browser tab or session ends, which makes it ideal for storing form data or user preferences during a single session without sharing across tabs. Despite their utility, both storage methods have limitations, including security risks and reliance on proper data management practices, necessitating developers to be cautious with sensitive data and potential misconfigurations. Developers are advised to complement these storage options with backend solutions like cookies for security and specialized frameworks for state management, while also implementing Content Security Policy to mitigate risks associated with malicious script injections.