Browser Cache, Cookies and More
What are these
cache and
cookies I always hear about?
Panicware is proud
to remove the mystery behind these cache and cookies we often hear
about. While both of these items are very important to your
browser and enhancing your surfing experience, there have been many
"rumors" and misunderstandings as to how they can be used to track
your surfing habits.
In Internet Explorer both the cache and cookies are stored in a common
location called "Temporary Internet Files". In other
browsers such as Netscape Navigator, the cookies are stored in a single
file, and the cache is stored in its own folder.
Browser Cache - What does
it really hold?
The browser cache plays an
important role in providing smooth and speedy surfing
experience. The cache, pronounced "cash", is a
temporary holding area for images, sounds, videos, and other items that
may appear on a Web page that you visit. The way the cache works is
by eliminating the need to re-download an image or Web page if the content
has not changed since your last visit.
The size of the cache varies depending on the size of your hard-drive, and
if you have manually altered the size in your browser. Typical cache
size is 10% of your hard-drive space.
Browser Cookies - Can I eat
them?
A cookie is simply a piece
of information that a Web page stores on your local computer.
Browser cookies were initially designed to allow Web pages to store user
specific pieces of data on a the client (your machine) computer. This allowed
Web sites to pass information between pages, or remember
information for returning visitors, such as a login name, or Web site
settings. But, like most well intentioned technologies,
developers found new ways to exploit this technology. Web sites can
use cookies to track the viewing habits of Web surfers. For example,
if you visit a Web site that places a cookie on your system, then visit
another site that "knows" to look for this cookie, the people
tracking this information can start to learn something about your surfing
habits. This information is typically used to created advertising
campaigns targeted towards a viewers surfing habits.
What are session cookies?
Session cookies are cookies that
only stay "alive" while you are surfing a particular Web
site. When your browser is closed, these cookies are immediately
discarded.
Can cookies place viruses on my
computer or erase data?
NO. Cookies are not
programs, they are simply small files that contain text information that
are placed there by a Web page. Since cookies are not
programs, they cannot erase data or contain viruses.
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Browser and Windows History
Does my browser and
operating system keep track of what I do?
Both your browser and Microsoft Windows
keep track of certain pieces of information in order to provide a more
pleasant computing and surfing experience. These history
trails can be invaluable at times. For instance, if you found
and interesting piece of information on a Web site, and then later moved on
to other Web sites, the browser history provides an easy to follow trail
back to the previous Web site.
Unfortunately these history items also provide a way for others to view
and gain an understanding into what you have been doing, searching for,
etc. on a particular computer, and it is often desirable to remove these
history trails.
Can I clear out these
history trails?
All of these history trails can be cleared. There are various
methods in which to clear these history trails, and some of the options
are not readily accessible from your desktop. Panicware products provide an easy to use and straight forward method in which to
clear all of these history trials at once, or clear each of them individually.
Click
Here for more
information on automatically cleaning your tracks!
Browser History
Most Web browsers such as
Internet Explorer and Netscape keep a list of the most recent Web sites and
links that you have visited.
Browser URL History
The URL, or drop-down URL history as is sometimes referred, typically
contain the last URL (Web site links) that you have typed into your
browser.
AutoComplete Forms and Passwords
When you visit a Web site that requires a user login and password, Windows
can optionally keep track of this information so you do not have to type
the login/password in each time you visit the site. Although
the login and password information is encrypted so that people cannot view
this information, any user at your computer can gain access to your
Web sites because Windows will automatically fill in the login and password
information.
Recently Viewed Documents
You will find the recently viewed and/or opened documents under your Start
Menu. Windows keeps a list of the most recently accessed documents
here.
Windows Find History
When you use the Find option under the Start Menu, Windows keeps track of
the last files you searched for, making it easy to repeat the find
process.
Windows Run History
If you run programs from the Run option in the Start Menu, all of those
programs are kept in a list so you may easily run those again.
Cleaning Cookies, Cache and History
Panicware products can
automatically clean files such as cookies as often as when you
surf to the next Web site.
Click Here
for more information on automatically cleaning your
tracks!
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