Internet Cookies vs. Internet Cache: Understanding the Difference
Table of Contents
- What are Internet Cookies?
- What is Internet Cache?
- What is the difference between Internet Cookies vs. Internet Cache?
- How do Internet Cookies and Internet Cache work together?
- Should I clear my Internet Cookies and Internet Cache?
- How do I clear my Internet Cookies and Internet Cache?
If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between internet cookies and internet cache (pronounced “cash”) is, you’re not alone. Although both words are usually used interchangeably, they are quite different. In this quick 4-minute read, we’ll walk you through what each means, how they work together, and what you can do to make sure your internet experience remains as smooth as possible.
What are Internet Cookies?
Internet cookies, also referred to as web cookies, are bite-sized text files of data that websites use to identify your device during your browsing sessions. They help store user-specific information, like your IP address, passwords, payment information, etc. Cookies are essentially your ID card for whichever website you visit, and each time you visit a site, that server will remember your information from previous visits, to help tailor the best user experience possible for you.
Cookies are what makes it possible for a site to keep you logged in, save that Amazon shopping cart you’ve been building for months, and even provide product recommendations on what you’ve viewed.
Types of Internet Cookies
From a technical standpoint, there are two types of internet cookies: Transient Cookies and Persistent Cookies.
What are transient cookies? Temporary cookies that expire once the session ends. Deleted automatically.
What are persistent cookies? Cookies that remain on the user’s device for a longer time, even after the browser is closed. These web cookies expire after an extended period or must be manually deleted.
What is internet cache?
Internet cache on the other hand is a temporary storage area on your device where copies of web pages, images, and other content are saved to speed up future visits. When you revisit a site, the cached (stored) content loads faster since it doesn’t have to be downloaded again. This improves the browsing performance and reduces bandwidth usage. Because internet cache stores this information, it is something that needs to be deleted manually.
To put it in simpler terms, internet cache is like knowing your favorite order from Chipotle. You know the menu by heart because you’ve been there a million times, which means when you come back, you know exactly what you want. And thankfully you don’t have to be that one person that holds up the line.
What is the difference between internet cookies and Internet cache?
To understand the difference between internet cookies and internet cache, take a look at the chart below:
| Feature | Internet Cookies | Internet Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Stores login details, preferences, tracking data and influences web experiences. | Saves website files (images, scripts, etc.) to speed up loading. |
| Storage | Small text files with user-specific data. | Larger website resources like images, videos, and code. |
| Data type | Very small (a few KB per cookie). | Larger (can be MBs) since it stores media and web content. |
| Life span | Can expire when you close the browser, after a set time, or manual. | Stays until manually cleared or updated by the website. |
| Effects | Too many web cookies can slow down browsing slightly. | Speeds up browsing by reusing saved website data. |
| Privacy | Used for tracking and targeted ads, raising privacy risks. | No tracking but may store outdated content. |
| How to Manage | Can be deleted or blocked in browser settings. | Can be cleared in browser settings if needed. |
| Interaction | Sent with each visit, affecting website tracking and personalization. | Works in the background without interacting with websites. |
How do Internet Cookies and Internet Cache work together?
Now that you know the difference between internet cookies and cache, let’s breakdown the reason why people use them together so frequently in conversation. It’s because they work so closely together. Imagine you’re looking to take a vacation to Europe for the summer, and you’re not sure where you want to stay. So, you go online, look at a few blogs, and now you start to shop around a bit using AirBnB. The next thing you know, you’re randomly looking on YouTube for that one brownie recipe and there are two back-to-back ads for tips on traveling to Europe. You can thank cookies for that. The ads remind you to head back to AirBnB, and all of the photos for each option are already loaded, because you guessed it, cache has them stored.
Should I clear my Internet Cookies and Internet Cache?
Clearing your cookies, cache or both could be necessary at times. Is your computer moving a bit too slow? Are you worried that your privacy has been compromised and want to make sure no one can access your passwords? These are some of the questions you may ask yourself before clearing out your cookies and your cache. Here’s a quick breakdown of what clearing these two things could do for you:
Improves Online Privacy and Internet Security – Removes tracking cookies that monitor your activity. This is an internet cookies issue.
Internet cookie permissions
Every website that you visit will have a web cookies permission button that will ask if you want to allow or block access. Without thinking, we typically click allow. But be sure to consider this whenever you visit a new website.
Fixes Website Issues — Resolves loading issues, incorrect layouts, or outdated content by refreshing stored website data. This is an internet cache issue.
Frees up Space and Boosts Performance — Deletes unnecessary files, freeing up storage and making your browser run smoother. Deleting both will help with this.
How do I clear my Internet Cookies and Internet Cache?
Clearing your internet cookies and cache differs by browser and app, but it is relatively easy. Whether you are using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or another browsing option, this process should take less than to minutes to complete. For the example below, we’ll use Google Chrome.
Does Google automatically clear my cookies and cache?
The answer is no but here are the steps to delete them:
Click the menu button (three dots in the top right corner)
- Select Settings
- Select Privacy & Security
- Select Clear browsing data
- Select the types of data you want to remove
- Select a time range
- Click Clear data
Now that you know all about cookies, cache, and how to optimize your web experience to its fullest potential, get high-speed fiber internet to match. Find out if EarthLink Fiber Internet is available near you to get better internet now. Call XXX-XXX-XXXX to upgrade your internet today! And for additional internet security, make sure to protect your digital footprint with EarthLink security tools.