Community poll forum: How often do you delete your temp Internet files & cookies?

I have customized Firefox to allow only the required cookies from select sites, filtering out tracking cookies and other unnecessary additions. I have also used AdBlock Plus, my HOSTS file, and other methods to block the domains responsible for advertisements. That not only keeps the ads from being displayed, but from the files from being stored on my computer, minimizing the eye-sore and the wasted space.

However, I still have Firefox set to erase browser history, cookies, autocomplete information, etc automatically when the browser closes, as well as upon my request. Why? I drowse dozens of new sites a day and accumulate a lot of junk. In addition, I don't like the idea of going to a website and having them know the last 20 sites I visited. Call it overkill, but I take my privacy and security very seriously.

John

I leave no trails by hiding most of my octets, I like a number of others, automatically have firefox empty everything when I shut my browser down. I'm not on a public machine, but if I was I definitely don't want everyone knowing where I've been or what I've done...safety and maybe paranoia is how I see the deleting of all extraneous junk!

Pre-set program to delete after transferred to my inbox and read. That way I never have to worry about having things fill up with old messages. This is performed very easily as it is part if the Mac OS X 10. whatever. It is one of those things that Apple placed into their system because they listen to what their customers want always. I guess it has something to do with being open to suggestions and not always feeling they know all of the answers. Yellowhand

I have IE-7 auto delete temporary INTERNET files upon closing, but I don't like deleting cookies because the next time you are at your favorite sites you must type in all the log in stuff. But I do use Windows Defender and AVG to check those cookies for bad guys.

I do not agree : this is not a choice ? Or it is systematically i.e if needed; if you go hour long on the searching solutions or info's you will possibly collect a big amount of cookies; these will charge your memory and are not at all nescessarily for a further job, so.. But what I did not yet found is an automatic possibility to save a choiced quantity of cookies, meanwhile the other ones could be daily scrapped out. I close generaly my working time by the use of "Clean disk security", but if I am very happy of the result, I regret some times that everything will go !

I don't like the idea of cookies being used to track my web or other habits. I don't need the cookies to gradually slow my machine down.

I don't worry too much about cookies. I delete the temp files and other types of useless files about once a month. Some cookies I want to keep since they help me to log in to some sites that I use quite frequently, so I am selective about deleting cookies. I use my computer mostly for research and updating my websites. I don't do a lot of internet browsing, since I have certain sites that I visit quite often. I also have anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall protection so don't worry a great deal about that sort of interference with my computing enjoyment. For me therefore once a month is a good rule of thumb.

I was wondering how you can set the cookie history to 30 days on internet explorer

My desktop system has limited harddrive space that gets smaller everytime our MIS groud does an update. I may delete temp internet files several times a day. I don't generally delete cookies. I run spyware detectors at least every other day.

As cookies provide a useful purpose, I only keep the cookies I need. I have 21 on my PC; all for on-line stores I purchase from, and my investment web site.

Temp files and all other gunk,cleaned out at least twice daily.Early morning and suppertime.Do not clean out cookies however,as am registered with too many websites.Periodically,just bring up the screen and selectively delete any that I don't require.
SS

I use System Mechanic Pro and the PC Total Care option runs through all of its modules, which cleans out this type of clutter. But it has the draw back of losing your web browser history and some websites, that ID you and sign you on by cookies. But the megabits cleared out or freed up on your system, is sometimes eye opening. This is done about every four weeks.

As soon as I boot up I set Scandisk to run upon next bootup in case something goes wrong and I have to reboot or lose electricity or whatever else may go wrong.

My AVAST anti-virus updates itself at every bootup and/or when new files become available. I update and run Spybot Search & Destroy Immunizing when new files come in, scanning every day I am online and utilizing SS&D's File Shredder to find and get rid of other nuisances. I also do a daily update and scan with AdAware SE free version to clean up what little SS&D leaves behind.

THEN I do a Disk Cleanup from "Local Disk C: Properties". THEN I right click IE and clean Cookies, Files and History just for good measure.

I have found that this daily ritual keeps my computers running as well as can be expected from a M$ product.

If things get slow and I get 'signs' of certain types I do all of this and then shut down all running programs using "msconfig/startup", disconnect from the internet altogether since my anti-malware progs won't be running and THEN DEFRAG!!!! Turn back on the progs I want running in msconfig/startup. Let Scandisk run and have a squeaky clean, niiice running machine again.

Firefox crashed my puter. I can't use it.

Within one question you have really asked MANY.

First off, there are a myriad of things that can cause computers to run slowly.

When was the last time you cleaned out all of your unnecessary files like those in your Cache, cookies, history, etc? These only take up space and slow the process of the reading of your hard drive in addition to the assistance of posing threats of different types of mal-ware.

Which brings up the NEXT item. Do you know of any mal-ware hiding on your computer. Some mal-wares can put a complete stop to your computer!

Do you have programs on your computer that you have downloaded and installed yourself that you do not use any more? If you have NON-MS software that you don't use any more it just takes up disk space, therefore, slowing the reading process of your hard drive even further. If you delete any of these programs do you know how to find files they may leave behind? Yes, some programs DO leave files behind when you delete the program. These can add up over time and slow the process of reading your hard drive.

When was the last time you ran ScanDisk? Bad sectors can possibly reek havoc on your system. In the unusual event that you may find bad sectors, a repair tech can retrieve them for you.

When was the last time you Defragged? Fragmented files can REALLY slow down your computer! Since you don't know about the msconfig/startup thing I'll tell you (LATER) how to get there so you can shut off everything there before Defragging. Those running programs in there can only fragment WORSE if you defrag with them running. This is the ONLY time you will want to turn off your anti-malware progs. Since they will not be running you will want to disconnect from the internet while they are off and the system is defragging. I, personally, like to disconnect from the net (I'm on Cable ISP) then turn off those progs in msconfig, then run ScanDisk, then Defrag, then set ScanDisk to run again, then turn on the progs I want...like my Anti-malware stuff and finally reboot my computer. This helps MY computer a LOT!!! If you've never Defragged this may take a LONG time so do it when you don't need to be on your computer for a WHILE.

What software are you running? Could it be that you have some software Conflicts somewhere? For instance, are you running two firewalls at once?

NOW, to address the msconfig/startup thing:

1. Click on 'start'.

2. At the bottom of the 'panel' that comes up click ''Run...''

3. In the small window that then comes up type '' msconfig '' and click ''OK''.

4. In the ''System Configuration Utility'' window that pops up click on the ''Startup'' Tab.

5. In the list you will see, UNcheck ALL boxes to programs you do not want running constantly. This includes Instant Messaging software. Be sure to leave all of your Anti-Virus, other Anti-Malware programs and any others you WANT (like a Weather program or non-MS Firewall) checked.

Note: You WILL still be able to use all of the programs you UNcheck. They just won't be running in the background eating up resources.

WARNING: If you don't know about contents of the other Tabs within the ''System Configuration Utility'', obviously, you make look but NOT touch!

IF all of that doesn't help, you can learn about what you see in your Task Manager HERE:

http://downloads.techrepublic.com.com/5138-10877-5747817.html?tag=tr.dl.zdn&tag=nl.e530

If you do not have a Tech Republic Account, make one so you can download this PDF File. It tells you about what is safe/not safe to turn off within Windows and the ramifications of doing so. After reviewing that PDF very carefully you can deside if it's worth it [to you] to try to alter these particular settings.

I hope this helps you and doesn't confuse you any further.