The cookie tester

This tool is used to set and get cookies, using HTTP method (Set-Cookie header).

The purpose was to test browser behaviours regarding cookies and private navigation mode.

How it works ?

The tool is written in PHP. It uses the setcookie method to set and erase cookies. The cookies are sent using the Set-Cookie header. The name of the cookie is test.

The tool tests both local and remote cookies (not using P3P policy for 3rd party cookies). The 3rd party cookie is set using a call to a JS file. The JS file is not static, but dynamically created using PHP. It sets the cookie on the fly.

Do not forget to change your 3rd-party cookie policy for the test to work !

Tests results

• Firefox 3.6, Chrome 5.0, IE 8 : all cookies are forgotten when entering in private navigation mode. All cookies are restored when returning back to normal, and intermediate cookies are deleted or restored to their original values.
• Safari 5.0 : cookies are still present when entering in private navigation mode. Cookies can be modified. If the cookie is asked to be deleted, the cookie will be restored as it was before entering private navigation mode. All cookies are still restored to their original values when leaving private navigation mode.