Corporate Internet Commerce and Web site Development Solutions from Interchanges

Browser FAQ's

Internet Explorer
Firefox
Safari (mac)
Netscape

What are cookies, and how do I enable or disable them?

How can I avoid pop-up advertisements?

What are Plug-Ins?

How do you Disable Norton Internet Security?

How do you clear out browser cache?

Where can I download a web browser?

What are cookies, and how do I enable or disable them?

A cookie is a small amount of data that a Web site stores on your hard disk. The purpose of a cookie is to store a preference that you specify, such as custom page, or to allow you to return to a site later and pick up where you left off, such as when using a Web-based message board. Some sites also use cookies to store information as you move from page to page on a site. Depending on your browser type, you may be alerted when a site is about to set a cookie on your hard drive. If notified of the cookie installation you may accept or reject the cookie.

To enable/disable the cookies or the alerts in Internet Explorer 6.x on a PC:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Select the Tools menu and then click Internet Options
3. Select the Privacy Tab
4. Move the slider up or down depending upon the desired level of security you would like
5. You may also click the Advanced button and select how cookies are handled from the presented options

To enable/disable the cookies or the alerts in Internet Explorer 5.x on a PC:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Select the Tools menu and then click Internet Options
3. Select the Security Tab then click the button labeled Customer Level
4. Scroll down to Cookies and select the desired level of security from the presented options

To enable/disable the cookies or the alerts in Internet Explorer 4.x on a PC:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Select the View menu and then click Internet Options
3. Select the Advanced Tab
4. Scroll down to Security and then Cookies
5. Select the desired level of security from the presented options

To enable/disable the cookies or the alerts in Netscape 4.x on a PC:

1. Open Netscape
2. Select the Edit menu and then click Preferences
3. Scroll down to Advanced
4. Select the desired level of cookie acceptance from the Cookies options

To enable/disable the cookies or the alerts in Internet Explorer 5.x on a MAC:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click Edit and select the Preferences option
3. Under the Receiving Files option, select Cookies
4. Next to When receiving cookies: select the desired level of cookie acceptance
5. Click OK to finish

To enable/disable the cookies or the alerts in Netscape 4.x on a MAC:

1. Open Netscape
2. Select the Edit menu and then click Preferences
3. Scroll down to Advanced
4. Select the desired level of cookie acceptance from the Cookies options

How can I avoid pop-up advertisements?

There are several causes for those annoying pop-up browser windows, and many solutions. The most common cause of pop-ups are pieces of software installed on your computer, and very often these applications installed themselves without your knowledge. These programs are referred to as "spyware".

Some web pages embed pop-ups in their sites on purpose. Even if you have cleared your system of all spyware programs, these types of pop-ups can be slightly harder to avoid. The most common way to block these pop-ups is to install a "pop-up blocking" program. There are many such programs in existence, and lots of them are free.

Another type of pop-up advertisements is from the Microsoft Messenger Service (not to be confused with the Microsoft Messenger chat program). To avoid these pop-ups, follow the steps outlined in the How do I stop Messenger Service pop-up windows? FAQ.

What are Plug-Ins?

Plug-ins are downloadable programs that interface with the browser to allow you to view Web pages that contain multimedia features such as audio, video and 3-D interactivity. Below is a list of some third party plug-ins. Click on the links to learn more about each Plug-in and download the applications. Please note that these links will take you directly to the product vendor's Web site for downloading.*

Quicktime (tm) allows you to download and view video encoded in Apple's Quicktime 7.*

RealPlayer (R) allows you to view streaming video encoded as a RealMedia file.*

Adobe Shockwave allows you to view and interact with movies made in Shockwave or Flash.*

Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to view .pdf files.*

IPIX allows you to experience 360-degree photos.*

Interchanges does not provide support or endorse most third party applications. If you have questions, concerns or problems with a third party software application, you will need to contact the software manufacturer.

How do you Disable Norton Internet Security?

From your system tray (bottom right corner of your screen), right click on the Norton Internet Security icon and select Disable Norton Internet Security.
In the Norton dialogue box, click OK without changing any other settings.

How do you clear out browser cache?

Internet Explorer 7.0
- Open your browser, choose Tools > Internet Options
- On the General tab, click the Delete button from the Browsing History section of the page, in the middle.
- Click the Delete Files button under the Temporary Internet Files heading.
- You will be prompted with the following:
  - Are you sure you want to delete all temporary Internet Explorer files?
  - Click Yes
- Click close
- Click OK to exit from Internet Options
Internet Explorer 6.0
- Open your browser, choose Tools > Internet Options.
- On the General tab, click the Delete Files button from the Temporary Internet Files section of the page.
- Place a check in the Delete all offline content box and click OK
- Click Apply and then OK to exit from Internet Options.
Firefox
- Open your browser, choose Tools > Clear Private Data
- Make sure that only the Cache box is checked.
- Click the Clear Private Data now button.
Safari
- Open your browser, choose Safari > Empty Cache
- Click empty