ParetoLogic Privacy Controls > Tutorials > Erasing Cache From Internet Browsers
Erasing
Cache From Internet Browsers
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Internet browsers use cached versions of web pages in order to speed up the loading process when the page needs to be displayed again in the future. While the storage of cached pages can decrease the loading time of pages they can cause a strain on the application because of the amount of room they take up. They can also cause errors when loading pages and can also contain viruses or spyware.
Deleting Stored Browser Information
It is possible to delete cookies and page cache information in most explorers. As well as Internet Explorer it is also possible to clear these records in Opera and Mozilla among others. However the deletion of these files using standard deletion techniques still leaves your system open to hackers and even spyware applications. In order to completely remove these files it is necessary to use a secure deletion application or a file shredder.
Using ParetoLogic Privacy Controls To Clean Out Your Browsers
ParetoLogic Privacy Controls provides a secure way to delete these files from Internet Explorer and other Internet browsers including Opera and Firefox. Secure deletion options include the ability to overwrite files once, three times, and seven times according to your own preferences. The most secure method of deletion is to overwrite the file seven times before deletion. This makes it virtually impossible even using specialist software to recover the files once they have been deleted.
ParetoLogic Privacy Controls can scan Windows applications as well as other third party applications to find files and objects. Internet browsers are among the most memory expensive of all applications because they are used frequently and store copies of various files and pages as well as logs and information pertaining to downloaded files, pages visited, and much more.
1 – Opening ParetoLogic Privacy Controls
Open ParetoLogic Privacy Controls and click on the Options link in the top left corner of the main screen. This will display all appropriate options relating to all possible software.
2 – Opera And Firefox Options
In order to clean out the Opera and Firefox cache navigate down the list to the Internet Browsers category, ensure the check box is ticked and click the drop down arrow next to it. The following options are available for these browsers:
Available Opera Browser Options
Cache – This is the
option that enables users to clear out the cache of web pages that
Opera has stored over time. This can free up a lot of system
resources, especially if it has been some time since you last
cleared your cache.
History of Visited Pages – The Internet history is another
area of browsers that can use up a lot of system resources. It can
also cause problems when you revisit pages that have since been
updated with new information. This option enables you to clear out
the history of pages you have visited when using the Opera browser.
History Of Typed In Addresses – Opera, like many other
Internet browsers, stores a record of all website addresses that
users have typed in. It then prefills the address field with
appropriate entries as you begin to type. To clear this history
ensure that the History Of Typed In Addresses option is ticked.
Cookies – Cookies are used to store a range of information
pertaining to you and your browser as well as sites that you visit
and the activities you perform when on these sites. Spyware
typically uses the cookies in your browser to serve you with ads
relevant to the sites you visit. Place a tick in the check box next
to Cookies to delete all cookies found in your Opera browser.
Wand Passwords – Many browsers provide the benefit of
remembering passwords you have entered into secure sites. This
option lets you remove the wand passwords stored on your computer,
which may be accessed by remote hackers and spyware as well as
anyone with access to your computer.
History Of File Transfers – Every time you download or upload
a file a log is kept of this transfer. Selecting this option enables
you to remove this history from your browser.
Firefox Browser Options
Firefox users can delete the same information as Opera users. You are also able to remove the contents of the key database and master password list. This database contains passwords to other websites as well as personal information and with this access it is possible for others to obtain all of your personal data.
3 – Choosing Deletion Method
On the options screen you are also presented with the choice of deletion method you would like to use. The most basic of these methods is a standard deletion. This does not include any overwrite passes and is not considered a secure method to delete files. Alternatively you can select to overwrite files once, three times, or seven times before they are deleted.
4 – Scan & Erase
Once you have selected the browsers and options you wish to scan for click on the Scan & Erase link in the top left of the ParetoLogic Privacy Controls window. Click the Start button on the resulting page to begin the scan.
5 – Scan Progress And Results
During the scan you will be able to see the progress on this page, and once completed the progress will be replaced with a scan results page. On the results page you are able to select the exact files you wish to delete by placing a tick in the appropriate boxes. It is also possible to view a preview of some items by double clicking them on this list. The preview will appear in the box on the right hand side of the screen.
6 – Starting The Deletion Process
Once you are satisfied that you have checked all of the files you want deleted click the Erase button and confirm your decision by clicking Yes on the resulting confirmation popup screen.
7 – Completion
Once deletion has completed click Finish and you will be taken back to the main ParetoLogic Privacy Controls screen.
Using ParetoLogic Privacy Controls To Clear Out Your System
ParetoLogic Privacy Controls is a PC scanner and advanced file shredder. Using the available options it is possible to scan your entire system looking for files that can be completely and securely deleted from your system. As well as searching the Windows system and Microsoft Windows and office applications it is also possible to scan various third party applications including a number of browsers like Opera and Firefox.