What are Cache and Cookies? Why Do We Clear Them?
A cookie is a small piece of text information that is sent to your browser. The browser you use stores this information in a file called a cookie. These files contain information like your last visit to the webpage, your personal preferences and your language. In the case of logging into your email cookies will keep track of the user preferences (color, theme, date and time of login, the last folder you viewed and whether you want to go to a personalized page or your inbox). Cookies are mostly harmless.
You will hear about tracking cookies from time to time and those are used by partner websites. Let’s say I visited www.whateverstore.com to purchase a notebook. While I was on the website I looked at Compaq and Dell notebooks. A tracking cookie might be pulled up that another website uses. For example, I go to www.thenextstoreonmylist.com which requests a cookie from my browser. It finds that tracking cookie and I immediately see ads related to Dell and Compaq notebooks. Magically they seem to know what I’m looking for but in actuality your internet surfing was tracked on this cookie. A tracking cookie can also include the site you visited while you were there. Some are used as referrer cookies. One website gets a reference fee for having someone click-through to a sponsor website. Meaning you clicked on an ad that took you to the other website so those 'sponsors' want to get paid. This is how they track some of the traffic. With the release of analytical software like Google Analytics, these referrer cookies are becoming a thing of the past.
What is the Cache (Temporary Internet Files)?
The cache: aka. Temporary internet files are made up of common objects on a web page. For example, I go to www.thelaststoreonmylist.com and see a commercial video, several ads, and the company logo at the top. The video, the company logo and some of the static, or non-changing ads are stored in IE. They are stored this way so when you go back to the website the information is pulled directly from the hard drive by your browser. This seems to load the page faster since it is not reloading these objects from the internet but rather, from the hard drive itself.
Why should I clear cache and cookies?
Older files and cookies can become corrupt information and can be caused by upgrades to websites, cookies, tracking, and temporary file (static) objects.. They get the browser confused when several ads change on one website. Or maybe your mail website upgraded the cookie to store your zip code or other personal information. The file would normally be good if the website were needing the old file but it’s needing a new one. So we need to clear cache and cookies. Scenarios like this are common with all internet browsers so don't be surprised if you call the Technical Assistance Center and we have you clear cache and cookies.
To learn how to clear your cache and cookies, please visit my blog post Clear Cache and Cookies in your browser.
Older files and cookies can become corrupt information and can be caused by upgrades to websites, cookies, tracking, and temporary file (static) objects.. They get the browser confused when several ads change on one website. Or maybe your mail website upgraded the cookie to store your zip code or other personal information. The file would normally be good if the website were needing the old file but it’s needing a new one. So we need to clear cache and cookies. Scenarios like this are common with all internet browsers so don't be surprised if you call the Technical Assistance Center and we have you clear cache and cookies.
To learn how to clear your cache and cookies, please visit my blog post Clear Cache and Cookies in your browser.
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