Cleaning up after your Internet Browsing

Whenever we visit the Web, there are files left on our machine to speed up access when we return to the same site. These areas can clog up our machine and should be cleared on a regular basis. Parents should also note that these areas could be explored to determine where your children are spending their time surfing.

History Files
Each time we access a site on the Internet we create History Files. Both of the most popular browsers (Netscape and Internet Explorer) were built with automated functions that record your activities, including where you have been and any information you leave behind. It is a good idea to clear this area to remove the paths and keep a clean work area.

When you are in Internet Explorer, select View > Explorer Bar > History, select the item to delete then simply press your delete key. To get a look at your Web history in Netscape Navigator, simply press Ctrl-H , once again just press delete.

If you want to save the location of a favorite page or if you want to visit certain pages often, create Bookmarks (Netscape) or Favorites (Internet Explorer) for those pages. Simply select the appropriate choice from your menu and select "Add to". The History window tracks all the sites you have visited, not just the ones you like. Bookmarks and Favorites track just the ones you select.

Internet Cache
Another area of concern is the Internet Cache. A cache is simply a special storage area set aside just for a singular purpose. Both Explorer and Navigator keep caches of recently visited Web pages on your hard drive. This speeds up Web access when you revisit the pages, but also leaves a copy behind. In Internet Explorer, select Internet Options from the View menu (Tools in version 5.0) and click on the General tab. Then select the button labeled Delete Files.

To clear your cache in Navigator, choose Preferences from the Edit menu, click on the + sign next to the Advanced selection, then click on Cache> Disk Cache.

Cookies
Cookies are simple text files that Web sites use to store information about you. When you enter a site, your cookie enables password verification, personalized information such as "Welcome Back Lauri," or ads based on your prior interests. Although, they pose no threat to your hard disk beyond wasting a small amount of disk space they do pass marketing and other personal information around.

Exploring the Internet opens a completely new world for all of us. Remember, that maintenance and cleanup is an important part of an enjoyable computing experience.