How do I clear cookies and cache in my browser?

What are cookies?

Cookies are encrypted data stored in your computer which helps websites tailor your browsing experience by telling them what you like.

What does cache mean?

For a faster browsing experience, each browser is designed to download and store information needed to view a website in a folder on your hard drive - this memory is called a "cache " or "Internet cache”. Caching helps browsers speed up loading time when a page is loaded or visited again.

Why do I need to know this?

When visiting a website, you may not be able to see some improvements and updates since your last visit, and simply refreshing the page is not enough. In this case, clearing of cookies and cache memory is recommended.

Here are simple instructions on how to clear them in Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer 8 & up.

Chrome

In the browser bar, enter:chrome://history/
Select the following:
- Cookies and other site and plug-in data
- Cached images and files
you can select specific time period or clear all your cache and cookies in the drop down menu beside “Obliterate the following.”
Click Clear browsing data. Close all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari

From the Safari menu, select Reset Safari....
Select the cache and cookies and then click Reset. As of Safari 5.1, Remove all web site data includes both cookies and cache. Close all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.
If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.
From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, selects everything.
Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose Cookies and cache of the history to clear.
Click Clear Now. Close all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Internet Explorer 8 and higher

From the Tools or Safety menu, select Delete browsing history....
If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.
Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
Cookies or Cookies and website data
History
Click Delete. Close all browser windows and re-open the browser.

For more details about cache you can visit Refresh Your Cache