Learn How to Delete Cookies and Temporary Internet Files



Everything that you do online, from checking your bank statements to sending an email to reading the news, is monitored by your computer and saved for future use. Your operating system saves all of this information in your Temporary Internet Files and in files called "cookies". Not only do you not want your information to be stored all over the Internet but all that information on your computer can bog down your operating system.

This information slows your computer down but it can also leave you vulnerable if you decide to sell your computer. All your personal information is stored in your temporary files and unless you delete it, someone else will have access to it. This might not be a problem if you're selling your computer to an aunt or a sister. But sensitive information in the hands of a stranger isn't a good idea. And you might be surprised by how much information your computer has stored since you bought it. Everything that you do is captured and saved. This is just your computer's way of helping you out. However, sometimes too much help can be unhelpful!

A slow computer can be incredibly frustrating but, more importantly, exposing yourself online can be dangerous. It's important to regularly clean your temporary files and delete your cookies. Follow the instructions below to learn how.

How to delete cookies:

If you have Internet Explorer 5 or higher, follow the instructions below to remove cookies and make room in your temporary files:

  1. Open Internet Explorer and select "Tools" from the menu bar
  2. Select "Internet Options"
  3. On the "General" tab, select "Delete Files"
  4. Check the box that says "Delete all offline content"
  5. Select "OK" and wait a few moments while your computer processes this
  6. Once the hour glass stops spinning, select "Delete Cookies" and then hit "OK"

How to clear your history in Internet Explorer:

  1. Open Internet Explorer and select "Tools" from the menu bar
  2. Select "Internet Options"
  3. On the "General" tab, select "Clear History"
  4. Hit "OK"

How clear out the temporary files:

  1. Select the Start menu and then choose: All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup
  2. Select the appropriate drive (most often the C: drive)
  3. Click on all the boxes in the list provided
  4. Select "Delete"

Once you complete the process above, your computer will no longer house all the personal and sensitive information that it saved from your Internet usage. You are now much less vulnerable and your computer will operate more efficiently.

 

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