Browse AI offers two ways to have your robot log into a website on your behalf:
Using your session cookies (recommended for most cases)
Using your user credentials (username and password)
Method 1: Login with session cookies
Session cookies store information about your login status. When you're already logged into a website in your browser, the robot can use these cookies to automatically authenticate without extra steps.
How to set up cookie-based login
When creating your robot enable the This website needs logging in option
Choose Login with my session cookies
Your session cookies will be safely encrypted and stored on Browse AI's AWS infrastructure
Proceed to capture the data you need to extract or monitor
Benefits of using cookies
Eliminates the need for typing credentials or extra clicks
Can work with two-factor authentication (2FA) in many cases
Generally provides a higher success rate for data extraction
Fewer steps means fewer potential points of failure
Limitations of cookies
Some secure websites may reject cookies if they come from a different IP address
Cookies can expire, requiring periodic updates
Not guaranteed to work with all 2FA/MFA implementations
Maintaining cookie-based login
To ensure continued access, regularly update your session cookies:
Go to your approved robot
Navigate to the Settings tab
In the Authentication section, click Update Session Cookies
Method 2: Login with credentials
How to set up credential-based login:
When setting up your robot, enable the This website needs logging in option
Choose Login with my password
While recording, complete the login process as you normally would
Your credentials will be securely encrypted and stored on Browse AI's AWS infrastructure
Capture the data you need to extract or monitor
Benefits of using credentials
Works on websites that have IP-based cookie restrictions
Can be more reliable for some websites with complex security measures
Doesn't require periodic updates like cookies might
Limitations of credentials
Additional interactions (typing, clicking) introduce more potential failure points
May not work well with websites that frequently change their login interface
Can be problematic with sites that use 2FA/MFA
May trigger security alerts if the login occurs from different IP addresses
Improving credential-based login
If you're experiencing issues with credential login:
Re-train your robot to use only necessary clicks and keyboard inputs:
Go to your approved robot
Navigate to the Settings tab
In the Danger Zone section, click Re-train robot
Keep your login process as simple as possible by eliminating unnecessary steps
Choosing the right login method
| Cookie method | Credential method |
Website security level | Standard security | Higher security (restrict cookies) |
Stability | Higher stability (less steps) | Less stable (more steps) |
2FA/MFA | Works in most cases | Often problematic |
Maintenance | Requires periodic updates | Less maintenance |
Security considerations
How Browse AI protects your login information
All login information (both cookies and credentials) is:
Encrypted during transmission and storage
Stored on secure AWS infrastructure
Only used for the purpose of running your robots
Website detection risks
While Browse AI employs techniques to mimic human browsing, some websites with strict security may detect automated logins, especially when:
Logins occur from multiple IP addresses
Multiple requests are made in short succession
Interaction patterns differ from typical human behavior
If your automation needs pose this risk, consider local automation, which utilizes your personal IP address, for enhanced discretion. For public data extraction, our robots are a reliable and secure solution.
Troubleshooting login issues
If your robot fails to log in:
Check if the website has changed its login interface
Verify your credentials are still valid by logging in manually
For cookie-based login, try updating your session cookies
For credential-based login, consider re-training your robot with simpler steps
Some websites may use CAPTCHA or other anti-bot measures that can interfere with automated login