Clearing your browsing history, cookies, and cache means you delete information that your web browser stores on your computer or device as you browse the internet.
When you visit websites, your browser keeps a record of the web addresses (URLs) you accessed. Clearing your browsing history removes this list, so others who have access to your device won't be able to see which websites you visited.
Cookies are small files that websites save on your computer to remember information about your preferences and browsing activity. For example, they can remember your login information or personalise your experience on a website. Clearing cookies deletes these files, so websites won't have access to your past activities or be able to remember your preferences.
The cache is a temporary storage location on your device where the browser stores elements of web pages you visit, such as images, scripts, and style sheets. This helps web pages load faster when you revisit them. Clearing the cache removes these temporary files, allowing your browser to fetch fresh content from websites. It also ensures that others using your device won't be able to see cached copies of web pages you visited.
Why should you clear your browsing history, cookies and cache?
Clearing your browsing history, cookies, and cache is advisable when searching for sensitive information for three reasons: Privacy, security and freshness of information.
It helps to protect your privacy by removing traces of your online activities from your device. It prevents others with access to your device from seeing where you've been and what you've done online.
Sensitive information, such as login credentials or personal details, can be stored in cookies or cached data. Clearing these can reduce the risk of unauthorised access to sites requiring signing in.
Clearing the cache ensures that you're loading the latest versions of web pages rather than potentially outdated or cached content. This is important as information may have changed or been updated.
Instructions on how to clear browsing history, cookies and cache
It's important to note that clearing your browsing history, cookies, and cache removes data only from your device. Other entities, such as internet service providers or websites you visit, may still be able to track your online activities. For stronger privacy and security, a virtual private network (VPN) or other privacy tools may be necessary.
Please note that the specific steps and options may vary slightly depending on the version of the browser and the operating system of your mobile device.
Chrome
1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the browser window.
From the dropdown menu, hover over "More Tools" and select "Clear browsing data."
In the Clear browsing data window, ensure that "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are selected.
You can choose the time range you want to clear data using the dropdown menu. Select "All time" to clear everything.
Click on the "Clear data" button to proceed. Be aware that this will remove all selected data from your browsing history, cookies, and cache.
1. Open the Chrome app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon located in the top-right corner of the browser window.
3. From the menu that appears, select "Settings."
4. Scroll down and tap on "Privacy."
5. Under the "Advanced" section, tap "Clear browsing data."
6. Select the checkboxes next to "Cookies and site data" and "Cached images and files."
7. Choose the desired time range or select "All time" to clear all data.
8. Tap on "Clear data" to remove the selected data.
1. Open the Chrome app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon located in the bottom-right corner of the browser window.
3. From the menu that appears, select "Settings."
4. Tap on "Privacy" and then on "Clear Browsing Data."
5. Select the checkboxes next to "Cookies, Site Data" and "Cached Images and Files."
6. Choose the desired time range or select "All Time" to clear all data.
7. Tap "Clear Browsing Data" to remove the selected data.
Safari
1. Open Safari on your Mac computer.
2. Click on "Safari" in the top menu bar and select "Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Preferences window, go to the "Privacy" tab.
4. Click on the "Manage Website Data" button.
5. A list of websites with stored data will appear. To remove all cookies and website data, click "Remove All" or select specific websites and click "Remove."
6. To clear your browsing history, go back to the "Privacy" tab and click on "Remove All Website Data" under the "Web Data" section.
7. Confirm the action when prompted.
8. To clear the cache, click the "Advanced" tab in the Preferences window.
9. Check the box next to the "Show Develop menu in the menu bar."
10. Close the Preferences window and click on "Develop" in the top menu bar.
11. From the dropdown menu, select "Empty Caches" to clear the cache.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap on "Safari."
3. Tap on "Clear History and Website Data."
4. Confirm your action by tapping "Clear History and Data."
Firefox
1. Open Firefox on your computer.
2. Click the three-line menu icon in the upper right corner of the browser window.
3. Select "Settings" or "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Settings/Settings window, go to the "Privacy and Security" tab.
5. In the "Cookies and site data" section, click the "Clear data".
6. Ensure both "Cookies and Site Data" and "Cached Web Content" are checked.
7. Click "Clear" to delete the selected data.
8. You can clear your browsing history by going to the "Page history" section in the top bar and selecting "Delete history data".
9. Select the desired time interval and the items to delete and click "Clear data" to delete the browsing history.
1. Open the Firefox app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon located in the top-right corner of the browser window.
3. From the menu that appears, select "Settings."
4. Tap "Privacy."
5. Tap "Clear private data."
6. Select the checkboxes next to "Browsing history," "Cookies," and "Cache."
7. Tap "Clear data" to remove the selected data.
1. Open the Firefox app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the three-line menu icon located in the bottom-right corner of the browser window.
3. From the menu that appears, select "Settings."
4. Tap "Data Management."
5. Tap "Clear Private Data."
6. Select the checkboxes next to "Browsing History," "Cookies," and "Cache."
7. Tap "Clear Private Data" to remove the selected data.