You have probably clicked on those pop-up messages asking if you want to accept cookies when surfing the web. The question then becomes: Should you erase cookies that you already accepted? While the convenience and simplicity of this may make it appear innocent, it’s crucial to understand what storing cookies entails and what benefits are there after you clear your Cookies or Cache.
What are cookies on a computer?
They’re little data packets saved as text files on your computer’s or other device’s web browser. These cookies, or small pieces of code, are created by the website you’re viewing to collect data from your browser history. Cookies are useful because they maintain track of goods in your shopping carts and preserve personal information, such as login credentials so that websites remember you and your preferences.
What is cache?
A cache is a hardware or software component in computing that saves data in order to serve future requests for that data more quickly.
Difference between cache and cookies
While a user is working on a website, a cache saves the online resources from that page in a browser for later use. As a result, the website’s loading time will be reduced in the future, and visitors will have an easier time logging in. Cookies, on the other hand, merely keep track of the user’s preferences.
Each browser has its unique method for emptying the cache, so keep track of the one you use most frequently and learn how to use it. Free browser extensions are frequently available, making this process even easier.
How to clear your cookies or cache on your Desktop Computer:
Chrome
- Launch Chrome
- Three dots appear in the top right corner of the browser, indicating a settings menu.
- Select “Clear browsing data” from the “More tools” menu.
- This will bring up a dialog box where you can remove your browsing and download history, cookies, cached pictures and files, saved passwords, and other information. Select the relevant time frame and “Clear data” from the drop-down menu.
- Re-open the browser after exiting/quitting all browser windows.
Firefox
- On your computer, launch Firefox.
- Click the “menu bars,” which look like three parallel lines, in the upper right-hand corner of the browser, and then the “Privacy and Security” tab.
- To go to “History,” scroll down.
- To clear the history, click the “Clear History” button and select what items you would like to clear
Safari
- Launch Safari.
- From the dropdown Safari menu, choose “Preferences.”
- Then select “Manage Website Data” under “Privacy.”
- From the selection menu, select “Remove all.”
Conclusion
Clearing these can help with issues like page formatting and loading, as well as making your browsing more secure. This is especially important if you’re working with a website developer who is changing a staging or live website. It’s typical for changes to be made and you to be unable to see them in their final form since your browser is showing up a ‘cached version’ of the page.