Use Window Open But Block Use Of Window Opener

Have you ever wanted to open a new window in your web application, but also prevent the newly opened window from being able to access information about the window that opened it? This can be a handy feature when you want to maintain the privacy and security of your users' data. In this article, we'll explore how you can achieve this by using the "window.open" method in JavaScript while also blocking access to the window opener.

When you use the "window.open" method in JavaScript to open a new browser window, you can specify various parameters to customize the behavior of the new window. One of these parameters is the "noopener" option, which tells the browser not to allow the newly opened window to access the window that opened it.

Here's an example of how you can use the "noopener" option with the "window.open" method:

const newWindow = window.open('https://example.com', '_blank', 'noopener');

In this code snippet, we're opening a new window with the URL 'https://example.com' using the "_blank" target to open it in a new tab or window. The 'noopener' option ensures that the newly opened window cannot access the window that called the window.open method.

It's essential to use the "noopener" option whenever you want to prevent the newly opened window from interacting with the window that initiated its opening. This helps protect sensitive information and enhances the security of your web application.

In addition to using the "noopener" option, you can also combine it with the "noreferrer" option for increased security. The "noreferrer" option prevents the newly opened window from knowing the URL of the window that opened it, further enhancing privacy and security.

Here's how you can use both options together:

const newWindow = window.open('https://example.com', '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer');

By adding the "noreferrer" option to the mix, you ensure that the newly opened window does not receive any referrer information pointing back to the original window, making it even more secure.

In conclusion, when working with JavaScript to open new windows in your web application, it's crucial to consider the security implications. By using the "noopener" option along with the "window.open" method, you can prevent the newly opened window from accessing the window that initiated its opening, helping to safeguard user data and maintain privacy. Combining the "noopener" option with the "noreferrer" option adds an extra layer of security, further protecting your application from potential vulnerabilities. Remember to implement these best practices to enhance the security of your web applications and ensure a safer browsing experience for your users.