Carol Smith

If you visit web sites on the Internet, you have a temporary internet file on your computer. The browser uses that file to store every URL address that you visit. When you visit a web page the next time, the browser goes to the temporary internet file for the data needed to load the site. This process is called “caching” (storing something for use later).

The simple explanation of the reason why this is done is speed. Displaying from the temporary internet file is much faster than the same page being loaded directly from the web page’s server.

Another major advantage is that if your internet connection is down, you can still view these cached versions offline.

There are two major disadvantages of keeping temporary internet files on your computer.

If someone has access to your computer, it means that they can on to the file and see every web site that you have visited. This might not be something you want to happen.

A buildup of data on the temporary file can eventually increase in size enough to slow down your processor.

To delete the contents of the temporary file:

Internet Explorer 7

Go to Tools > click Internet Options > click General > click Browsing History > click Settings

This window will let your choose some options as to frequency and space for the Temporary Internet File.  To delete these files go back to Browsing History.

Click Delete and then select Delete Files in the Temporary Internet Files in the next window.

See you in New Orleans some time!

Firefox 2

Go to Tools > click Options > click Privacy > click Private Data > click Settings

In this window you can check the “cache” button and apply and save changes.

-Next time you can simply click “Clear Now” from the Private Data tab.

Be nice to your computer and maybe it will let you go to the Mardi Gras with it.