Problems with Login: Cookies & Cache
What are these cache and cookies I always 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.
How do I delete cookies and clear cache in my browser?
If you're experiencing problems navigating or logging on to ApexSpeed.com's forums, try deleting cookies and clearing cache in your browser:
You'll find "Tools" at the top of your browser.
If you see the following message after deleting cookies and clearing cache, just retry logging in one more time.
Internet Explorer
* Select Tools
* Select Internet Options
* Select Temporary Internet Files
* Select Delete Cookies
* Selete Delete Files
Firefox
* Select Tools
* Select Options
* Select Privacy
* Select Clear for Cookies and Cache
Netscape
Delete Cookies
* Select Tools
* Select Cookie Manager
* Select Manage Stored Cookies
* Select Click Remove All Cookies
Clear Cache
* Select Edit
* Select Preferences
* Select Advanced
* Select Cache
* Select Clear Cache
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