Question

Is there a way to secure variables carried in links in PHP when moving information from one page to another? so that the passport number does not show on the address bar in its original form for security purposes.

<a href=\"edit_employee.php?$employee[passport_number]\">" . $row['first_name'];> 

Answer 1

use urlencode()

<?php
$link = 'edit_employee.php?passport_number=' . urlencode($employee[passport_number]);
echo "<a href=\"$link\">test</a>";

— edit —

if you don’t want it to be shown on address bar, use $_COOKIE or $_SESSION

    <?php
    // a.php
    setcookie('number', $employee[passport_number]);
// or $_SESSION['number'] = $employee[passport_number];


    <?php
    //b.php
    echo $_COOKIE['number'];
// or $_SESSION['number']