My computer’s internet browser is by far the program I use the most. That doesn’t happen with my mobile device because a lot of the services I use have their own apps. However, when I’m sitting in front of my PC or Mac, almost everything I do – including writing this column – happens in my browser.
Currently, I’m using Microsoft Edge, but sometimes I also use Google Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or Apple Safari. Honestly, it doesn’t matter much. They essentially all do the same thing, although there are differences in security features and minor differences when it comes to the user interface or overall performance.
Second only to the speed of your internet connection, the way your browser operates can have a big impact on how quickly you can open web pages. If there is something wrong with your browser, it could slow you down significantly or cause other problems such as not being able to fill out forms, causing pages to display incorrect information or display misleading images, or missing.
A problem that can be solved
While it’s not a panacea, there is a simple cure for many web-related problems that not only improves performance but can also improve privacy and security.
All web browsers (and most mobile apps) have a “cache,” which is a system that stores information from web pages.
There are many things that can be stored in cache, including cookies, which are small text files containing information created by a website. Cookies have a bad reputation, mainly because they are often used by advertisers to trigger targeted ads, but they can also be good. For example, they may store your username and password so you don’t have to re-enter it each time you visit a website.
The cache also stores a history of all the websites you have visited. That can be useful but it has obvious privacy implications, especially if someone else has access to your device.
Browser caches can also store images, videos, fonts used on web pages, and computer code that websites need to function. The page can work without caching, but there will be latency because it will have to reload all that data every time you visit. That latency can be close to zero or a few seconds depending on your Internet speed, how much data the site needs to send you, and the performance of the site’s servers.
While cached web data and sometimes even cookies can be a good feature, they can also cause problems if you have too much cached data, if it Stored data is corrupted or causes security issues, or if it prevents you from seeing updates to a site because it displays outdated information. And of course, cookies can compromise your privacy and can slow down your browsing.
A simple solution
Luckily, it’s easy to clear all or part of your browser’s cache, but before you do, make sure you know what you’re clearing and what impact that might have.
I’ll use Google Chrome as an example, but although there are some differences between browsers, the mechanics of checking history and clearing cache are similar.
Start from history
One way to start the process is to display your browser history, typically done on a PC by entering Ctrl H (Command H on Mac) or selecting History from the browser menu. Another option is to skip the history and move on to clearing the cache by typing Ctrl Shift Delete on some browsers.
When you view History, you’ll see the websites you’ve recently visited. This is a good way to revisit a website if you can’t remember how to get there.
One of the options under History will be to delete data or browsing history. When you select that option, you’ll see some important choices. One is the time range. Depending on your browser, you will be able to clear cache data from the last hour, the last day, or possibly the last month. But there will also be an “all the time” option, which I often use if I’m trying to improve performance or fix glitches. You can use the shorter option if you want to clear the history of recent web visits or if you’re having problems that just started.
Think before deleting cookies
The most important thing to consider is the option to delete Cookies and other site data. If you select this option, you will delete all cookies, including cookies you may want to keep, such as cookies that store your username and password. If you decide to choose this option, you will have to log in to your website again, so make sure you have all your usernames and passwords handy. Using a password manager can make it easier to re-enter this information, but you should always keep a separate record of usernames and passwords, perhaps in a paper notebook that you keep hidden.
Occasionally I clear my cookies, but most of the time I leave this unchecked to avoid the hassle of re-entering usernames and passwords. None of these other options are likely to impact you in any negative way other than possibly having to wait a very short time for some sites to load data and code when you visit them again for the first time. However, the downside is that your overall web browsing will be faster and the data you see will be refreshed.
If you don’t notice an improvement, consider clearing your history again and this time, select Cookies and other site data as well as “all time” after ensuring you have a record of all usernames and your password.
Like I said, this is not a panacea but it is a good starting point. If this doesn’t improve performance, test your Internet speed using an app or website like Speedtest. If the problem is intermittent, it could be due to network congestion from others in your household or, for cable TV subscribers, even your neighbors. If it’s constant, check with your Internet provider or find a professional to help you test your home network or Wi-Fi signal.
Larry Magid is a technology journalist and internet safety activist.
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