What exactly is a cache?

Cache is software or hardware that is used to temporarily store data or information on a computer system. It is a little amount of quicker memory that is used to improve the performance of information that has been visited lately or regularly.

Client-side cached data is kept separate from the primary storage on the client’s end. The Central Processing Unit (CPU), Applications, Operating Systems, and Web browsers all employ cache.

A good example of an application cache is web browsers. Web caching is the process of saving data for later use, such as a duplicate of a page supplied by a web server.

Browser Caching is used by web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari to improve the performance of frequently visited webpages.
The main goal of this procedure is to retrieve portions of pages, such as images, in order to make them open faster on subsequent visits.

What exactly are cookies?

Cookies are tiny data files generated by a web server and sent to a web browser. Cookies are stored by web browsers for a predetermined amount of time, or for the duration of a user’s session on a website. They associate the relevant cookies with any subsequent web server requests made by the user.

How long do cookies last?

Cookies are saved by web browsers in a specific file on the user’s device. For example, the Google Chrome web browser saves all cookies in a file called “Cookies.” By opening developer tools, hitting the “Application” tab, and then clicking “Cookies” in the left side menu, Chrome users can see the cookies saved by the browser.

What are the various kinds of cookies?

There are two types of cookies:

First-party cookies are placed by the website you’re visiting. In the address bar, you can see the website’s URL.

Third-party cookies are created by other websites. These websites own some of the content you see on their pages, such as advertisements and photographs.

The following are another most significant types of cookies to be aware of:

Session cookies aid in the tracking of a user’s session on a website. Session cookies do not have an expiration date, indicating to the browser that they should be removed when the session ends.

Persistent cookies are cookies that last for a set period of time, such as a day, a week, several months, or even years.

Zombie cookies produce backup copies of themselves outside of the usual cookie storage place in a browser.

Read also: 7 ways to protect your online privacy

How to clear cache and cookies on Android

A browser, such as Chrome, keeps some information from websites in its cache and cookies when you use it. Clearing them addresses various difficulties on websites, such as loading or formatting issues.

In the Chrome browser,

• Open the Chrome app on your Android phone or tablet.
• Tap More More in the upper right corner.
• Clear browsing data after tapping History.
• Choose a time range at the top. Select All time to erase everything.
• Check the boxes next to “Cookies and site data” and “Cached images and files.”
• Clear the data by tapping it.

What happens After you clear cache and cookies?

After you’ve cleared your cache and cookies, here’s what happens:

Some site settings are removed. You’ll have to sign in again if you were already signed in.
Some websites may appear to be slower because content, such as graphics, must be reloaded.
You’ll stay signed in on Google’s websites, such as google.com and youtube.com, if you’re using Chrome.

Note: Most sites that require you to sign in will not work if you don’t allow sites to save cookies.