What are cookies? What is a cache?

Cookies are small files of information that web servers generate and send to your web browser. Cookies contain information such as your user information and personalization settings and are attached to the requests you make on a website. Cookies are how websites like MyQ and Canvas know who you are without having to log in every time.

A cache is a place where your web browser temporarily stores snapshots of websites, so they load quicker when you visit them again in the future. These snapshots are stored until they expire or until the cache space is full.

What does clearing your cookies and cache do? When would it be needed?

If you have issues using features on a website, or if websites show outdated information, you’ll want to clear your cookies and cache. After clearing your cookies, you will need to re-log in to websites the next time you visit them. After clearing your cache, you might notice websites load slower to start. This is normal, your web browser is capturing snapshots to build your cache again.

How do you clear your cookies and cache?

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Google Chrome (and many other Chromium-based browsers, like Brave)

1. Select the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome (1) and select “Delete Browsing Data…” (2).

2. Select “All time” from the top time range choices (1), and check off “Cookies and other site data” (2) and “Cached images and files” (3). Select the “Delete data” button (4) to confirm.

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Firefox

1. Select the three line menu in the top right of Firefox (1) and select “Settings” (2).

2. In the search box, type “cookies and site data” (1) and select the first result “Clear browsing data” with the flame (2).

3. Set “When:” to “Everything” (1) and check off “Cookies and site data” (2) and “Temporary cached files and pages” (3). Select the “Clear” button (4) to confirm.

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Safari (Mac)

1. Select “Safari” from the menu bar (1) and choose “Settings” (2).

2. Open the “Privacy” tab (1) and select “Manage Website Data…” (2).

3. Select the “Remove All” button (1).

4. Select the “Remove Now” button (1) to confirm.