A couple analogies that I hope will help. Cookies are like a valet ticket for your car. You hang onto the ticket (cookie) which only the valet will ask for, so they remember something about you (not to need 2-step). If you lose your ticket (clear cookies), you'll have to do something extra to get your car back (perform 2-step).
Cache is like short-term memory. I remember what the valet guy looks like, so I can identify him on site. If I clear that memory, I will have to recognize him again, which might take longer. Marko's answers are good, but I typically find analogies help people understand better. On Fri, Jul 24, 2015 at 3:02 AM, Marko Vukovic <[email protected]> wrote: > Hey Diane > > Since you are having no problems, I would leave that alone. Don't clear > anything. > > A cookie is simply a small file, left in your browser profile somewhere by > a website that it can then read upon your return for purposes of recalling > for example, a particular preference. > In the case of Google, it will use that cookie to remember that you wanted > to stay signed in, and trust that computer (browser) for 2-step. > If you deleted the cookie, you would have to sign in again and provide a > 2-step code. > > The browser cache is used to speed up browsing by storing images and other > content. In the case of Gmail, it will use the cache to store contents > relating to emails so that it does not have to reload everything every time > you open the page. > The suggestion you've seen to clear cache and cookies will purge both, > forcing the user to sign in again, and clearing the cache of any possible > corruption preventing the web app from functioning properly. > > Hope that helps! > > On Fri, 24 Jul 2015 at 08:43, Diane <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Hello again. I'm baack! This topic was touched upon in our lengthy >> exchanges on 2-step verification. I really don't understand cookies >> although when I had some "hiccups" in the past, it was suggested I clear >> the cookies and cache (whatever that is as well). I note that these are >> checked in my "clear browsing data" information. Should I clear these? >> What about the other checked items? And those unchecked? And how far back >> ("beginning of time"?)? *OR * >> >> Since I'm having no problems and am considering "trusting" a particular >> computer (see my post within "2-Step Verification") via two browsers I >> rarely use, should I just leave all this alone? Some of you have mentioned >> cookies and browsers which I admitted to not understanding. >> >> I thank this knowledgeable group as always! Please post any replies in >> basic English since I still don't speak "computerize." >> ~Diane >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Gmail-Users" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/gmail-users. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Gmail-Users" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/gmail-users. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Gmail-Users" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/gmail-users. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
