Security Information |
|
Temporary Internet Files - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
A little bit of time invested into learning about internet security can go a long way in preventing mishaps on your computer. Temporary internet files are not something we should be afraid of, but we should certainly be careful in how much we trust them and how we deal with them. Temporary internet files are image, text, and formatting files that are stored on your hard drive by the websites that you visit. They are placed there by the websites without your having to do anything. The files are stored on your computer the first time you visit the site so that the next time you go to that webpage you only have to load new information or files that have changed since the last time you visited - files that have not changed are loaded from the temporary internet files folder at a much faster speed than over the internet. This seems like an incredibly appealing option, especially to those of us still working at home on dial-up connections (my teenage brother-in-law insists I'm "old school" because I don't have DSL - I think he may be right). Storing the temporary internet files on the hard drive significantly cuts down the amount of time it takes to completely load and view a website. There are a few question areas, however, that need to be considered in any discussion about temporary internet files. First, and arguably the most trivial of the concerns, is that you may miss out on all of the updated information the website has to offer. If your browser loads the files from your temporary internet files folder rather than the updated material from the website, you may miss out on an updated football score, or you may get a different image than the one others are viewing. The system is designed so that things like that don't happen, but the possibility is out there. Second, storing huge numbers of files can bog down your computer, slowing down its ability to do even the simplest of tasks, such as word processing (a deadly one-two combination if you're working with dial-up!). Fortunately, you can control the number or size of the files that are being stored on your hard drive. Typically under the Tools>Options menu of your browser you'll be able to set the amount of your hard drive you're willing to dedicate to temporary internet files. You may want to set this high or low, depending on your browsing habits and need for speed. Third, the temporary internet files folder may contain files that contain viruses, inappropriate images or text, and files that could leak personal information to websites. This is obviously a huge concern any time you allow someone virtually unregulated access to your hard drive. Images from an inappropriate website you accidentally stumbled across (it has happened to all of us) may be stored on your hard drive. Corrupted files may be placed there by an unfamiliar website you only visited once. Cookies and other files may potentially spawn popups that cover your screen in a matter of seconds. Before you grab your pitch fork and storm the beast's castle, let me mention a few things you can do to bring a little control to your temporary internet files folder without destroying it completely. I already mentioned limiting the amount of your hard drive dedicated to holding files from visited websites. This is the best option for those who may be less concerned about corrupted or inappropriate files being stored and more concerned about the ability of their Jurassic-era computer to perform at a decent speed. Some versions of the popular browsers won't allow you to completely eliminate storing files, but you can limit the resources to 1% of your hard drive or a small number of megabytes. Some opt to regularly clean out their temporary internet files folder - obviously this will eliminate malignant files and free up some space for your computer; but it will also eliminate files you may want. A quick note about the files that begin with "Cookie:" - cleaning out the folder will not actually delete the cookies. The cookie files in the temporary internet files folder are simple files that point the browser to the actual cookie in the "Cookies" folder on your hard drive. If you are interested in truly purging your system of internet files, you'll need to clean out that folder as well. In my view, the most judicious option is to utilize available software to manage the content of your temporary internet files. Some files you want because they make your life easier. Some files you don't want because it bogs down your computer and makes your grandmother blush. Software is available that scans your computer and finds all the internet files (including cookies). The software makes recommendations as to whether the file in question is good, bad, or ugly - all you have to do is decide to keep or trash it, then click the appropriate button. Temporary internet files can make our internet browsing time a quick and convenient experience. Unfortunately, they may also pose a risk to the security of our hard drives. With a little hands-on management we can keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our computers happy, safe, and protected. Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For great software that helps manage temporary internet files, check out ContentWatch, Inc.
MORE RESOURCES: Texas Homeowner's Security Camera Captures House Flood - Videos from The Weather Channel The Weather Channel Former security guard Gregory Livingston found guilty of murdering man at Kroger gas station over loud music Action News 5 Security guard shoots, kills man outside southwest Atlanta strip club, police say Atlanta News First Los Angeles Times: UCLA police chief accused of ‘security lapses’ before attack on pro-Palestinian encampment KTLA Los Angeles Dave Chappelle's attacker sues Hollywood Bowl, security 2 years after he stormed stage: report New York Post Laredo UISD receives 100% safety and security audits from TEA Laredo Morning Times Not Every Security Clearance Investigation is the Same ClearanceJobs Former security guard found guilty of killing man over loud music WREG NewsChannel 3 The U.S.-Japan Alliance Council on Foreign Relations Accelerating Innovation: Introducing SocX, SecureIQLab's AI-Powered Cloud Security Validation Platform PR Newswire Florida university graduation events draw security, advisories | Local News | chronicleonline.com Citrus County Chronicle Ripple effect: Local agencies ramp up security after state, national cyberattacks on water supplies Altoona Mirror Netherlands Prepares for World War II Remembrance Amid Gaza Security Fears U.S. News & World Report Verdict found after deadly 2021 Kroger fuel center shooting WATN - Local 24 NJ religious sites getting $4.8M for security, Gottheimer says NorthJersey.com Chaotic lake getting fence and security Wink News College campuses tighten security amidst graduation ceremonies Abccolumbia.com Cabana Live shooting: Victim sues venue, security, others WESH 2 Orlando NSA Highlights Mitigations against North Korean Actor Email Policy Exploitation National Security Agency Dave Chappelle attacker suing Hollywood Bowl security for negligence New York Daily News Security guard gets life in prison for killing unarmed man at East Memphis Kroger gas station WATN - Local 24 Microsoft will base part of senior exec comp on security, add deputy CISOs to product groups GeekWire Joe Andruzzi Foundation, Amplix, celebrate reaching $1 million milestone in food security grants The Sun Chronicle Belgium’s Aikido lands $17M Series A for its ‘no BS’ security platform aimed at developers TechCrunch The Mystery Of EgyptAir's Inflight Security Officers... One Mile at a Time Center for International Maritime Security | Fostering the Discussion on Securing the Seas. - CIMSEC The Nordics in NATO: Women, Peace and Security and Regional Defense Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) Security footage released from bible trailer fire | Lebanon | lebanondemocrat.com - Lebanon Democrat After canceling commencement, USC will host event at L.A. Coliseum, rolls out new campus security Los Angeles Times Hong Kong’s national security laws ‘not major concern for arbitration community’ South China Morning Post Sweden “On Terror Level Four” As Security Is Tightened A Week Before Eurovision Song Contest Deadline Private security worker raises concerns over handling of UCLA encampment violence FOX 11 Los Angeles Bodega owners, advocates address spike in armed bodega robberies, call for ramped-up security measures News 12 Bronx Iranian Security Forces Shoot Teenage Border Porter ایران اینترنشنال 174 Nebraska schools get $10 million to upgrade security Lincoln Journal Star Thune wants cooperation for cyber security plan KELOLAND.com Pillen deploys Nebraska National Guard to assist with storm recovery, security • Nebraska Examiner Nebraska Examiner Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Hearing: "The Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Energy Budget" Energy and Commerce Committee |
RELATED ARTICLES
Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified On December 8, 2004 Webroot, an award winning anti-spyware solution provider, released a press release identifying the ten most significant emerging spyware and adware threats. Most of these you probably haven't heard of and a few may surprise you. Road Warrior At Risk: The Dangers Of Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking Airport Menace: The Wireless Peeping Tom----------------------------------------As a network security consultant, I travel quite frequently. At times, it seems like the airport is my second home. Reducing Fraudulent Transations - 5 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself The money being spent online is steadily growing. With billions of dollars being spent each year online, the opportunity to make money on the internet has never been bigger. Phishing Recently I have received email from my bank/credit Card Company, eBay & pay pal saying that my account has possibly been compromised and I need to confirm my details and password in order to get continued access.Spam email now has a new and more frightening variant, it's called phishing and it has been made by criminals and hackers who aim at getting unwitting consumers to reveal account numbers and passwords. If You Sell Anything Online Your ePockets Are Being Picked You and I are a lot alike. We are both software publishers and eBook authors getting hosed on a regular basis. Computer Viruses, Worms, and Hoaxes In recent days, I was one of the unfortunate persons to receive the "Mydoom" worm emails. Not just one, but at least forty appeared in my popserver mailbox. Consumers: Shop Online and Get Information Safely Do you really have to know how feeds work? Not really. But you do need to understand how they can benefit you as a consumer or as an information seeker. Phishing and Pharming: Dangerous Scams As soon as almost all computer users already got used to -- or at least heard about -- the word "phishing", another somewhat confusing word appeared not long ago. Pharming. Spyware Removal Spyware SolutionProbably Today's Biggest Computer Problem.You Suffer Without Knowing Your PC is Infected!"The effects can be devastating. 3 Things You Must Know About Spyware 1)Spyware is on your system. Like it or not, statistically speaking, you probably have spyware on your machine right now. New CipherSend Online Security Service Thwarts Email Address Theft And Soothes Password Fatigue In 1997, I decided after 15 years as a practicing CPA that it was time to put down my pencil and explore a new venture on the exciting new internet which, while perhaps not exactly in its infancy at that point, was still at least a pimply faced teenaged medium still unexplored by most accountants.I founded CPAsites. How to Prevent Online Identity Theft Identity theft rates one of the fastest growing crimes in mAmerica today and the Internet can make it even easier for some criminals to take your good name and drag it through the mud.Identity theft involves criminals stealing your personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers and other information, usually to buy things on credit or to empty out your bank accounts. Dont Get Hacked - A Guide to Protecting Your Business from Thieves You've seen it in the news - 40 million credit cards exposed!With all the news about web sites being hacked and cyberthieves stealing credit card numbers and other personal data,it's no wonder that some shoppers are still hesitant to providepayment information online. You don't have to be. Temporary Internet Files - the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly A little bit of time invested into learning about internet security can go a long way in preventing mishaps on your computer. Temporary internet files are not something we should be afraid of, but we should certainly be careful in how much we trust them and how we deal with them. Behavior to Stay Safer Online 1. Importance of a Virus Scanner: A Antivirus program can help to prevent you from becoming infected with a Virus or Trojan. Spyware Attacks! Windows Safe Mode is No Longer Safe Many of us have run into an annoying and time-consuming error. With your machine running goofey you decide to run a scan for trojans and spyware. How to Fight Spyware If you are wondering how to fight spyware for safe web surfing, this Internet privacy article will answer some of your questions. By now you have probably heard about the dangers of spyware. Sarbanes-Oxley: A Cross-Industry Email Compliance Challenge Is your enterprise following the rules?The bulk of financial information in many companies is created, stored and transmitted electronically, maintained by IT and controlled via information integrity procedures and practices. For these reasons, compliance with federal requirements such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is heavily dependent on IT. Reclaim Your PC from the Internet Spies Viruses are, however, not the only malicious software programs out there. The newest addition to the evil software family is the so called Spywares and a good anti-virus program or firewall is not enough to safeguard against these clever programs. How to Thwart the Barbarian Spyware! Today,on most internet user's computers, we have theability to employ software, along with ourintelligence, to prevent viruses and spyware.To put this article into proper perspective, we'll useMedieval defense tactics. |
home | site map |
© 2006 |