Network safety has been a pressing issue, mainly due to the growing amount of personal data users leave online. Multiple innovations have been presented to help users protect themselves from hacking, and unauthorized data use. However, there are also some simple things anyone can do to stay protected online. One of them is cache clearing. You may be aware of the fact that your browsing history is stored in the cache files. If you don’t delete it regularly, anyone having access to your computer can track your Internet activity. Let’s discuss how you can use cache files clearing to protect your data.
When Deleting Information from the Cache is Necessary?
You may use your computer for a while before you notice any cache problems. Your cache can store an immense body of data, but when the files take too much space, the following issues may occur:
- The browser loads the data from the cache instead of updated portions of the webpage. This glitch results in a slowdown and may be manifested in image errors.
- Some apps are not working properly.
- You notice that the website does not reflect updated information.
All these issues mean that it’s time to clear the cache. The following instruction will help you manage this task in no time.
How to Delete the Cache Data: A Detailed Instruction
There is one universal way to delete the unnecessary files slowing down your browser. You need to open a browser and find Ctrl + Shift + Delete keys on your keyboard. Press them all at once and read the instructions that appear on the screen. You will see that many options allow you to decide on the type and amount of data to be removed. If this option does not work for you for some reason (e.g., you want to delete files on your smartphone or iPad), follow the guidelines, which vary for different browsers.
Chrome
- Open the browser.
- Find the three dots at the top right part of the page and click on them.
- Find the “more tools” option and then select “Clear browsing data.”
- Decide whether you want to delete everything or narrow down clearing to a specific timeframe.
- Check the box “cached images and files” to make sure these data are also removed
- Finally, press “clear data.”
Firefox
- Find the menu drop-down at the top and then select “Settings.”
- Find the “privacy & security tab” and “cookies and site data section” and then click “clear data.”
- Don’t forget to press the “clear” button to remove the selected files.
- Another option is to use the menu to find the “history” tab and select “clear recent history.” This option will also allow you to choose a specific timeframe and regulate the amount of data that will be removed.
Microsoft Edge
- Find the hub icon in the upper right corner of the browser.
- Find “history” and press “clear all history.”
- Select the types of files you want to delete.
- Click the “clear” button and restart the browser for the new settings to be applied.
Safari on a Mac or iPhone
- Find the “history” tab.
- The “clear history” tab located at the end of the list is the one you are looking for.
- Choose how far back you want the files cleared and press “clear.”
- If you want to clear cache files on your iPhone, you need to go to the settings app and find “Safari” there. Then, tap the “clear history” option and confirm the action.
As you can see, although there are some differences between browsers, the process is very similar. It takes no more than a couple of minutes to figure out how to access the required settings and remove the unnecessary data slowing down your device.