The importance of clearing your cache and cookies
What is the cache?
Whether you are looking at Facebook or shopping online, you are using a browser. There are many kinds of browsers, Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer, if you have patience. What your browser does is hold onto information, and that information piles up in what is called a cache. Like your cell phone slowing down when it is out of space, not clearing your cache can slow down your browsing. It’s a good idea to clear your cache, browser history and cookies on a regular basis and although any saved information like usernames and passwords will be deleted, your privacy will be more secure and your browser will work efficiently.
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What are cookies? Cookies are small pieces of data from a website that are stored in your browser while you are on a website. When you visit the same website again, the browser sends the cookie back to the website with all the information from the last visit. Cookies store your usernames or preferences for a website and sometimes they are used to track your visit to websites so that businesses can show you ads online. Why should you clear your cache and cookies?
1. You logged into one of your accounts on a public computerWhen using a public computer, avoid the computer remembering your details by deleting your history. This will ensure no one gains access to your information and it is kept secure. 2. You don’t want websites tracking youBy deleting your history, you make it harder for websites and other entities to identify you by saving your information and tracking you. This also ensures the protection of your personal information. 3. Browser speedBecause browsers save cookies to your hard drive, they can take up a lot of space over a long period of time. Delete cookies to free up hard drive and increase speed and performance. 4. You changed your login detailsIf you change passwords and don’t clear your cookies, you might not be able to log in successfully to old accounts with the new passwords. |