Tech Notes: Clearing your browser cache Cookies
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TECH BYTE #2 Clearing Internet Files: Fire Fox Tech Notes: Clearing your browser cache on a regular basis ensures that when you are surfing the web you see the most up to date version of your favorite websites. Your internet browser will sometimes save webpage information in its cache so that the next time you visit the page it loads faster. In the days of dial‐up the cache enabled you to browse the internet a little bit faster but now most people have faster internet connections. Some web pages may even store personal information in your cache, another good reason to clear it regularly. If someone stole or hacked into your computer they might be able to retrieve the information out of the cache. Cookies are a small text file that websites put on your computer to store information about you and your preferences. Cookies save time because they help your computer remember who you are the next time you return. You can control which cookies you accept. Tech Do’s: While there is no optimal frequency for clearing your cache you may want to clear it after submitting any personal information to a website. As a good reference you should clear your cache at least once a week. For Cookies: Only choose the option to remember your username and password on a personal computer. Tech Don’ts: Don’t assume that identity theft will not happen to you, to find out more visit http://www.ftc.gov/ and click on Identity Theft. For Cookies: Do not choose the option to remember your username and password on a public computer. That information is stored in a cookie!
Transcript of Tech Notes: Clearing your browser cache Cookies
TECH BYTE #2
Clearing Internet Files: Fire Fox
Tech Notes: Clearingyourbrowsercacheonaregularbasisensuresthatwhenyouaresurfingthewebyouseethemostuptodateversionofyourfavoritewebsites.Yourinternetbrowserwillsometimessavewebpageinformationinitscachesothatthenexttimeyouvisitthepageitloadsfaster.Inthedaysofdial‐upthecacheenabledyoutobrowsetheinternetalittlebitfasterbutnowmostpeoplehavefasterinternetconnections.Somewebpagesmayevenstorepersonalinformationinyourcache,anothergoodreasontoclearitregularly.Ifsomeonestoleorhackedintoyourcomputertheymightbeabletoretrievetheinformationoutofthecache.Cookiesareasmalltextfilethatwebsitesputonyourcomputertostoreinformationaboutyouandyourpreferences.Cookiessavetimebecausetheyhelpyourcomputerrememberwhoyouarethenexttimeyoureturn.Youcancontrolwhichcookiesyouaccept.
Tech Do’s: Whilethereisnooptimalfrequencyforclearingyourcacheyoumaywanttoclearitaftersubmittinganypersonalinformationtoawebsite.Asagoodreferenceyoushouldclearyourcacheatleastonceaweek.ForCookies:Onlychoosetheoptiontorememberyourusernameandpasswordonapersonalcomputer.
Tech Don’ts: Don’tassumethatidentitytheftwillnothappentoyou,tofindoutmorevisithttp://www.ftc.gov/andclickonIdentityTheft.ForCookies:Donotchoosetheoptiontorememberyourusernameandpasswordonapubliccomputer.Thatinformationisstoredinacookie!
Tech How To’s:
1. Launch Firefox
2. Press “Ctrl + Shift + Del” on the keyboard to access the “Clear Private Data” dialogue
3. Select desired items to be deleted and click “Clear Private Data Now” to close dialogue (the boxes that are grayed out may not always be that way)
