As you use the web, browsers collect data about your preferences, searches, and internet history. To keep your browser running optimally, it's a good idea to clear your cache and cookies periodically. Read on to find out how you can delete history across multiple browsers. Show
What is a cache?The term ‘cache’ refers to the portion of your hard drive dedicated to storing browser files that your browser thinks it may use again. Without this feature, your browser would operate more slowly since every website you opened would need to download a large number of files from scratch each time. This includes elements like the website logo, background images, fonts, plus technical aspects such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Cumulatively, these can add up to dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of files for just one website. The cache stores these files locally, so future website visits are quicker, improving your overall internet experience. So, why clear cache?Clearing your cache means deleting all the saved information from your local hard drive that has been stored in the cache. Some of the reasons why you may want to clear browsing history include: Maximizing performance: Depending on your settings, your cache can grow quite large and take up significant disk space on your computer. The more information saved in the cache, the slower your computer will be when browsing online. Deleting your cache can help increase website loading times and improve the performance of your device. Viewing most recent pages: In theory, whenever you revisit a website, your cache checks to see if it has changed so it can show you the most up-to-date pages. However, this doesn’t always happen: sometimes the cache will load its older stored pages instead, which means you may not see the newest version. By periodically clearing your cache, you force your browser to start afresh, ensuring that you view the latest pages and information. Maintaining security: If you are using a public or shared computer, clearing your cache may help protect your privacy. If you don't clear your cache, then anyone who uses the computer after you may be able to see your browser history. The cache can also store private data required by some websites, which could give the next user on the computer access to sensitive or personal information. The cache's temporary files may also be a target for adware, malware, and viruses. Fixing browser errors: Your cache can sometimes cause browser issues. For example, you may find that certain websites are slow to load or only partially load, will not open, return an error message, or otherwise don’t respond as they should. Often, you can fix these types of errors by clearing your cache before closing and reopening your browser. Why clear cookies?Cookies are simple text files that a website can store on your browser. They are designed to identify users, save site login details or create customized web pages tailored to the individual’s preferences. You can read more about cookies here. People sometimes review cookie settings or cookie preferences or delete cookies on their browser. This is to:
What is the difference between cache and cookies?Both cache and cookies are designed to improve website performance and user experience through storing data on your devices. However, there are differences between the two:
How to clear cache and cookiesSo, how to clear browser cache? Using Internet Explorer, Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, you can quickly clear your cache with a keyboard shortcut. While using your browser, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete simultaneously on the keyboard to open the appropriate window. Remember to close the browser and restart it after clearing the cache and cookies. Otherwise, here is how to clear search history by browser: How to delete history on Google Chrome:
How to clear history on Google Chrome for iOS:
Confirm by clicking Clear Browsing Data again. How to delete history on Firefox:
If you are on a Windows computer, close and reopen Firefox to save your changes. If you are on an Apple computer, go to the Firefox menu on the top menu bar and select Quit for the changes to take effect. How to clear history on Safari for macOS:
Select Quit to close Safari and save your changes. How to delete history on Safari for iOS – how to delete cookies on iPhone:
The button for Clear History and Website Data will turn gray when the cache and cookies have been successfully cleared. How to clear history on Microsoft Edge for Windows 10:
A VPN can help to ensure your privacy online without so many stepsSome people don’t like clearing their cookies because they appreciate the convenience of not having to log in constantly to their favorite websites. For those users who still want to maximize their online privacy, a Virtual Private Network or VPN could be an excellent option to consider. A VPN like Kaspersky Security Connection encrypts data being transmitted to and from your computer, blocks ad trackers from intercepting cookies, and removes your personally identifiable information. Is it safe to clear cookies and cache?Generally speaking, yes it is safe to clear your browser cache... When you clear your browser cache, you are simply telling your web browser to delete the temporary files that it has automatically downloaded in order to show you a website.
Is deleting cookies the same as clearing cache?In most browsers, the options for clearing the cache and clearing cookies are in the same place—but they're not the same thing. Your cache stores files downloaded directly from the websites you visit—fonts, images, that kind of thing.
What does removing cache and cookies do?Clearing your browser's cache and cookies means that website settings (like usernames and passwords) will be deleted and some sites might appear to be a little slower because all of the images have to be loaded again.
Does clearing cache and cookies delete history?Because browser history only contains the website addresses, it takes much less memory than cache does. While history is saved the same way cache is saved, it's almost always a separate setting. Clearing your history doesn't usually clear the cache, and clearing the cache doesn't delete the history.
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