TL;DR
Cursor is safe to use for development, but you need to understand what data it sends to AI servers. Your code runs locally, but context is sent to Cursor's servers for AI features. Use .cursorignore for sensitive files, enable Privacy Mode if needed, and always review AI-generated code for security issues before deploying. The real risk is not Cursor itself, but blindly trusting the code it generates.
What is Cursor?
Cursor is an AI-powered code editor built as a fork of VS Code. It integrates AI capabilities directly into your development workflow, helping you write code faster through autocomplete, chat, and code generation features.
When evaluating safety, we need to consider two separate concerns:
- Platform security: Is Cursor itself secure? Where does your code go?
- Code security: Is the code Cursor generates safe for production?
Our Verdict
What's Good
- Code stays on your machine
- Privacy Mode available
- .cursorignore for sensitive files
- SOC 2 Type II certified
- Regular security updates
What to Watch
- AI context sent to servers
- Generated code needs review
- May expose code patterns
- Privacy policies can change
- No air-gapped mode
Platform Security Analysis
Where Does Your Code Go?
Your source code files are stored locally on your machine. Cursor doesn't upload your entire codebase to their servers. However, when you use AI features (autocomplete, chat, composer), relevant code context is sent to their servers for processing.
This means:
- Files you're editing may be sent as context
- Code you highlight or reference is shared with AI
- Your prompts and questions are processed server-side
Important: If you're working on proprietary algorithms, trade secrets, or highly sensitive code, consider whether sending context to external servers fits your security requirements.
Privacy Mode
Cursor offers a Privacy Mode that prevents your code from being used for training AI models. When enabled:
- Your code won't be used to train Cursor's models
- Code is still processed for your requests
- SOC 2 compliance applies to data handling
Data Handling
| Aspect | How Cursor Handles It |
|---|---|
| Code storage | Local only, not uploaded |
| AI context | Sent to servers, processed, then deleted |
| Training data | Not used if Privacy Mode enabled |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II certified |
| Enterprise | Additional controls available |
Code Security Concerns
The bigger security risk with Cursor is not the platform itself, but the code it generates. AI-generated code often has security issues:
Common Issues in Cursor-Generated Code
- Hardcoded secrets: AI might insert placeholder API keys that look real
- Missing authentication: Endpoints often lack auth checks
- SQL injection: String interpolation instead of parameterized queries
- Insecure defaults: CORS set to allow all origins
- Missing validation: User input not sanitized
Our data: In scans of vibe-coded projects, 73% of Cursor-built apps had at least one security issue in AI-generated code. Most were fixable with proper review.
How to Use Cursor Safely
1. Configure .cursorignore
Create a .cursorignore file to exclude sensitive files from AI context:
- .env and environment files
- Private keys and certificates
- Proprietary algorithms
- Customer data files
2. Enable Privacy Mode
Go to Settings and enable Privacy Mode if you don't want your code used for training.
3. Review Generated Code
Always review AI-generated code for:
- Hardcoded credentials
- Missing authentication
- SQL injection vulnerabilities
- XSS vulnerabilities
- Insecure configurations
4. Use Security-Focused Prompts
When asking Cursor to generate code, explicitly mention security requirements:
- "Create a secure login endpoint with rate limiting"
- "Use parameterized queries for this database call"
- "Include input validation and sanitization"
Cursor vs Other AI Editors
| Feature | Cursor | GitHub Copilot | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code stays local | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy mode | Yes | Enterprise only | Enterprise |
| Ignore file support | .cursorignore | .copilotignore | Settings |
| SOC 2 certified | Yes | Yes (GitHub) | Yes |
| Self-hosted option | Enterprise | No | No |
Who Should Use Cursor?
Good fit: Indie developers, startups, teams building non-sensitive applications, and anyone willing to review AI-generated code before deploying.
Consider alternatives if: You work with highly classified information, have strict air-gap requirements, or cannot have any code context leave your network.
Does Cursor store my code?
Cursor stores your code locally on your machine. When you use AI features, code context is sent to their servers for processing but is not permanently stored according to their privacy policy. Enable Privacy Mode to prevent your code from being used for training.
Can my company use Cursor for proprietary code?
Many companies do use Cursor for proprietary code. Consider enabling Privacy Mode, using .cursorignore for sensitive files, and reviewing Cursor's enterprise options which offer additional security controls. Always check with your security team.
Is Cursor safer than GitHub Copilot?
Both tools have similar security profiles. Cursor has more built-in privacy controls in its standard tier, while Copilot's privacy features are primarily available in enterprise plans. The choice often comes down to feature preferences rather than significant security differences.
What happens if Cursor is compromised?
Since Cursor is based on VS Code, it inherits some of VS Code's security model. Your code files are local, but an attacker who compromised Cursor's servers could potentially see code context sent for AI processing. This is why .cursorignore exists for sensitive files.
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