An Easy Way for AOL Users to Clear Footprints (Browser Cache, Cookies, etc.)

As I've mentioned before, I use Firefox as my primary Web browser for most things, including working with my Journals (though I have to admit, Firefox been acting up on me today, possibly due to some updates I just installed).

And, when I write up Journals help tutorial and tips entries, I try to make sure they apply to all types of browsers that we support, including standalone Internet Explorer (IE), AOL's flavor of IE, Firefox and more.

The reason I mention this is that occasionally I'll miss some nuance specific to the AOL browser. Like an easier way to clear your Web browser's footprints than what I've written about previously.

Clearing Your Footprint (Browser Cache and Cookies)
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Whenever you run into Web browser weirdness -- the page isn't displaying properly, owner buttons aren't showing up, it's making you sign in when you should already be signed in, etc. -- the first thing you should do is try refreshing the page (clicking the refresh button; hitting the F5 key will also do it).

The second thing you should do is clear your browser cache (copies of files on the Internet that your browser saves on your computer because it's faster than re-downloading them off the Web).

And the next thing you can do clear your cookies (small text files on your computer that contain certain information about, say, your saved preferences or your current session).

If you're using the browser inside the AOL software, there's an easy way to do this:

1. At the very bottom of your browser window, you should see a few different pull-down menus. Click on the one on the left (the one that says "Window"):

2. This Window menu shows you the Web browser windows that you have open, so you can switch between them. It also gives you options to "Clear My Footprints" and "Suggest Footprints to Clear." Click "Clear My Footprints":

3. The default setting should clear your Browsing History, Cookies, Browser Cache, and Blocked Pop-Ups. Cookies and Browser Cache are the most important for our purposes here -- if these are among the list, you can go ahead and click "Yes." It may take a minute or two to finish.

If you don't see Cookies and Browser Cache selected, or want to de-select the other choices, click the "Select Footprints to Clear" button:

4. Check the boxes for the items you want to clear, then click "Clear Selected Footprints" to proceed:

That will clear up a lot of common browser problems.

[Update: 6/13: People who use AOL for Mac can
go to Keyword: Browser Settings -- to clear
cache, click the "Display" tab, then the click "Empty Cache Now"
button; to clear cookies, click the "Cookies" tab, then click "Remove
All Cookies."

Reminder: For Firefox users (Mac and PC), in the "Tools" menu, choose "Click
Private Data" and select the items from the list that you want to clear.



For Internet Explorer users, in the "Tools" menu, choose "Internet
Options...", then in the section marked "Temporary Internet Files",
click the "Delete Cookies" and "Delete Files" buttons. -- Joe]

Of course, if you're still having problems with Journals and they look to be coming from our side, drop me an e-mail at screen name Journals Editor (remember, a Journal owner's screen name is part of their Journal's address -- if you can see their Journal's address, you know their e-mail address).

Fighting Spyware, Adware and Viruses
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In addition, teammate Joseph (over at the Community Info Blog) reports that a distressing number of users have spyware, adware or viruses on their machines that can cause your browsers to not work properly (by interfering with the normal processes on your machine).

How does your machine get infected? Different ways include if you're not running a proper firewall and antivirus software, visit afflicted Web sites, or open files and run programs that get sent to you. (It's what got Julie Amero, that substitute teacher in Connecticut, in trouble for porn popups on a classroom computer.)

Check out Joseph's entry on how to effectively use antivirus and antispyware programs to help keep your machine clean (including using the free AOL Safety and Security Center).

Thanks -- Joe

Tags: firefox, aol journals, community info blog, spyware, adware, aol safety and security center, clearing cache, clearing cookies, browser footprint