Clear all browser cache/cookies/history on exit?

This Side Up · 14 Jul 2012 at 17:30

Apologies if this is the wrong section (there are about three that could also apply to my below question)...

In simple(ish) terms, when it comes to browser history/cache(temporary files etc)/cookies etc, what are the advantages and disadvantages to:

Keep all cache/history/cookies etc
Removing cache/history/cookies

I understand the obvious stuff around having to re-enter in login information every time if you constantly clear the browser stuff versus the security issue of having logins "saved" (via cookies) on a shared/public computer.

I would also be interested to know what your habits are regarding this - do you remove all browser data every time you close the session, periodically or not at all? Do you only remove some browser data (e.g. cache) but leave other data (e.g. cookies) alone?

theheyes · 14 Jul 2012 at 19:48

The best thing to do imo would be to have separate user accounts, but you could also look into some of the "in private" browsing modes of modern browsers.

I generally leave mine alone with the exception of blocking third party cookies.

Blackjack Davy · 16 Jul 2012 at 00:20

Clearing the cache is good for recovering free space the amount of garbage that collects can be considerable, also trojans and other malware can lurk there and in temp folders so use something like CCleaner to flush everything out now and then.

As to cookies a good many are tracking cookies so unless you want your browsing habits tracked either flush the cache regularly or set to clear all cookes on exit. The only downside to that is remembered passwords etc but some browsers will let you add exceptions.

Personally I have extentions that blacklist cookies unless I specifically allow them and something to block web bugs (webpage trackers that pass browsing habits on to 3rd parties, typically Google Analytics)

d_brennen · 16 Jul 2012 at 00:27

I die a little inside when I see an advert for something I have JUST FAPPING WELL BOUGHT on another website

In Chrome you can go to chrome://chrome/settings/content to manage cookies etc

This Side Up · 16 Jul 2012 at 20:37

Excellent. Thanks for the replies, guys.

Here's another question:

If I religiously clear out my cache/internet temp files/whatever its called, surely that'll put extra load on my internet connection having to download all the info again (i.e. images etc), or doesn't that matter nowadays in the age of broadband connections and the like?

Also, how precisely does the cache/temp files/etc work with regards to speeding up browsing? If it downloads, say, an image from a web page, does it just load straight from the cache instead of re-downloading the image from the website? What if that image appeared on the same web page 50 times? Would I have to download the same image 50 times, or does it download once and just re-display from cache for the other 49 times??

d_brennen · 16 Jul 2012 at 22:25

That's more or less what is happening. Hardly matters these days IMO, website content changes often anyway, formatting data is relatively small and any reasonable connection I imagine you'd need a stop watch to notice the difference in site loading times

That you can do is clear your cache and spend a week or so with auto clear enabled and see how it "feels" to you. The proof is always in the pudding

Pilgrim57 · 17 Jul 2012 at 12:10

In FF options-advanced-network. Overide cache management otherwise that can easily bloat to +500MB

Use private browsing/incognito mode[Comodo Dragon]

D/l BitBleach to clear out cookies, inc Flash & Silverlight, etc & cache. Tells you how much space recovered. I find it simpler to use than Ccleaner.