What is Cache Memory and What Is It Used For?
When browsing the internet, your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.) stores data from visited pages to speed up loading on your next visit. In other words, instead of loading all the elements of the page again, information such as photos or even form responses are stored in a temporary memory called the cache.
This way, when you revisit the page, these stored details don’t need to be downloaded again. The browser retrieves the data from the cache, speeding up the page’s loading time.
How Does This Negatively Affect Navigation?
Despite the faster navigation, excessive cached data can cause unwanted effects. Records may get mixed up, slowing down your internet experience. Additionally, you might not see recent updates on the page, and your computer could become vulnerable to virus attacks since infected files can sometimes be downloaded along with cached page elements.
Furthermore, errors in form submissions can occur, complicating the registration of information and the use of online software.
Finally, the more data stored in the cache, the longer the system takes to interpret the information. This requires more processing power from your computer and internet connection, potentially causing the loading issues described earlier.
When you clear the cache on your computer or device, these files are deleted, allowing the system to work faster.
How to Clear Cache
To clear your computer’s cache, there are two options:
A quick shortcut common to most browsers is pressing Ctrl + Shift + R. This simple command can resolve some issues as it clears the current session’s cache. However, for a full cache cleanup, you need to follow additional steps.
If you are using Google Chrome, follow these steps:
With the browser open, click the three dots located in the upper-right corner of the screen (Customize and Control Google Chrome).
2. Select the History option and then click History again.
3. Click on Clear Browsing Data in the menu on the left side of the screen.
4. A new window will open. Select the option "All Time" and check "Cached Images and Files".
5. Finally, click "Clear Data".
Important: These steps may vary depending on the browser you use and the version installed on your computer.
For some versions of the Mozilla Firefox browser, it is possible to limit the amount of data stored in the cache. In the same settings tab, look for the option related to automatic cache management and input a specific number for this field.
Caution: When setting this value, remember that cache memory is important for speeding up webpage loading. Setting a value too low will harm the browsing experience, while a value too high will lead to excessive accumulation of stored information.
We hope this explanation has clarified what cache is and the importance of clearing it regularly.
If you still have questions, please contact support or reach out via WhatsApp.