How to Clear Cache in Every Major Browser you use. This article and post is done for all those who don’t have the knowledge on how to clear the cache from the browser they are using. You will learn how to do that on any browser like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, IE, Safari, and more.

In most browsers, you can clear the cache from the Privacy or History area in the Settings or Options menu, depending on the browser, of course. Ctrl+Shift+Del (or Cmd-Shift-Del on a Mac) works with most browsers as well.

While that hotkey combo works in most non-mobile browsers, the exact steps involved in clearing your browser’s cache depend entirely on what web browser you’re using.

Below you’ll find some browser and device specific instructions, as well as links to more expansive tutorials if you need them.

What Exactly Is Cache?

Your browser’s cache, pronounced like cash, is a collection of web pages, including the text, images, and most other media contained on them, that is stored on your hard drive or phone storage.

Having a local copy of a web page makes for very quick loading on your next visit because your computer or device doesn’t have to download from the internet all of that same information again.

Cached data in the browser sounds great, so why do you ever have to clear it?

Why Do You Have to Clear Cache?

You certainly don’t have to, not as a regular part of computer or smartphone maintenance, anyway. However, a few good reasons to clear cache come to mind…

Clearing your cache forces your browser to retrieve the newest copy available from the website, something that should happen automatically but sometimes does not.

You might also want to clear the cache if you’re experiencing issues like 404 errors or 502 errors (among others), sometimes indications that your browser’s cache is corrupted.

Another reason to delete browser cache data is to free up space on your hard drive. Over time, the cache can grow to a really large size, and so clearing it out can recover some of that previously used space.

Regardless of why you might want to do it, clearing your cache is really easy to do in all the popular browsers in use today.

Chrome: Clear Browsing Data

In Google Chrome, clearing the browser cache is done via the Clear browsing dataarea in Settings. From there, check Cached images and files (as well as anything else you want to remove) and then tap or click the CLEAR DATA button.

Assuming you’re using a keyboard, the quickest way to Clear browsing data is via the Ctrl+Shift+Del keyboard shortcut.

Without a keyboard, tap or click the Menu button (the icon with three stacked lines) followed by More tools and finally Clear browsing data….

See How to Clear the Cache in Chrome [support.google.com] for more details.

Tip: Choose All time from the Time range option at the top of the Clear browsing data window to make sure you get everything.

In Chrome’s mobile browser, go to Settings from the three-dotted menu at the bottom, and then Privacy. From there, choose Clear Browsing Data. In this menu, check Cached Images and Files and press the Clear Browsing Data button once, and then again for confirmation.

Internet Explorer: Delete Browsing History

In Microsoft Internet Explorer, the browser that comes pre-installed on most Windows computers, clearing the cache is done from the Delete Browsing Historyarea. From here, check Temporary Internet files and website files and then click or tap Delete.

Like with other popular browsers, the fastest way to the Delete Browsing Historysettings is via the Ctrl+Shift+Del keyboard shortcut.

Another option is via the Tools button (the gear icon), followed by Safety and then Delete browsing history….

Tip: Internet Explorer often refers to the browser cache as temporary internet filesbut they’re one in the same.

Firefox: Clear Recent History

In Mozilla’s Firefox browser, you clear the cache from the Clear Recent History area in the browser’s Options. Once there, check Cache and then tap or click Clear Now.

The Ctrl+Shift+Del keyboard shortcut is probably the fastest way to open this tool. It’s also available from Firefox’s Menu button (the three-lined “hamburger” button) via Options, then Privacy & Security, and finally the clear your recent history link from the History area.

Tip: Don’t forget to choose Everything from the Time range to clear: set of options, assuming that’s the time frame you want to clear the cache over.

If you’re using Firefox’s mobile app, tap the menu from the bottom right and then choose Settings from that menu. Find the PRIVACY section and tap Clear Private Data. Make sure Cache is chosen and then tap Clear Private Data. Confirm with an OK.

Firefox Focus is another mobile browser from Firefox that you can clear the cache from using the ERASE button on the top right of the app.

Safari: Empty Caches

In Apple’s Safari browser, clearing the cache is done via the Develop menu. Just tap or click Develop and then Empty Caches.

With a keyboard, clearing the cache in Safari is super easy with the Option-Command-E shortcut.

Tip: If you don’t see Develop on your Safari menu bar, enable it via Safari >Preferences…, then Advanced, followed by selecting the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.

Clearing the browser cache from mobile Safari, like the one on your iPad or iPhone, is accomplished in a different app. From your device, open the Settings app and then find the Safari section. In there, scroll toward the bottom and tap Clear History and Website Data. Tap Clear History and Data to confirm.

Opera: Clear Browsing Data

In Opera, clearing the cache is done via the Clear browsing data section that’s part of Settings. Once open, check Cached images and files and then click or tap Clear browsing data.

The fastest way to bring up the Clear browsing data window is via the Ctrl+Shift+Delkeyboard shortcut.

Without a keyboard, click or tap the main menu button (the Opera logo from the upper-left hand side of the browser), then Settings, Privacy & security, and finally the Clear browsing data… button. Check the Cached images and files option and then press Clear browsing data.

See How to Clear the Cache in Opera [help.opera.com] for detailed instructions.

Tip: Be sure to choose the beginning of time option at the top so you’re sure to erase everything!

You can clear the cache from the mobile Opera browser, too. Tap the Opera icon from the bottom menu and then navigate to Settings > Clear… to choose what to delete: saved passwords, browsing history, cookies and data, or all of it.

Edge: Clear Browsing Data

In Microsoft’s Edge browser, included in Windows 10, clearing the cache is done via the Clear browsing data menu. Once open, check Cached data and files and then tap or click Clear.

The fastest way to the Clear browsing data menu is via the Ctrl+Shift+Del keyboard shortcut.

Another option is via the Settings and more button (that little icon with three horizontal dots), followed by Settings and then the Choose what to clear button under the Clear browsing data heading.

See How to Clear the Cache in Microsoft Edge [support.microsoft.com] for more extensive help.

Tip: Tap or click Show more while in the Clear browsing data menu for additional items you can erase while clearing cached files and images.

To delete cache files from the Edge mobile browser, go into the menu using button on the right side of the menu, and choose Settings. Go to Privacy > Clear browsing data and choose what you want removed; you can pick cache, passwords, form data, cookies, and more.

How to protect yourself from a data breach

How to protect yourself from a data breach and here are the best ways to protect yourself and your information from identity theft and fraud.

Wondering how to protect yourself from a data breach due to the number of data breaches hitting the news? The Equifax scandal may have happened over a year ago, but it’s far from old news. Security breaches are serious and impossible to predict, and with the world as digitised as it is, these data breaches can cause serious harm.
Luckily, there are measures you can take to protect your identity, and we’ll talk you through how.

How to protect your data from a data breach

You should never use the same password for multiple accounts (I know, easier said than done,) and change your passwords for important accounts often.
There are apps out there that generate and store passwords for you, but they’re not invulnerable, so you’re probably better off doing it yourself. Password books may be “dated,” but as long as they’re kept in a safe place, like a locked file cabinet, there’s nothing more secure.

Even a minor transaction can signify a major security issue with your account. If you notice an unrecognised charge, notify your card issuer as soon as possible so that you can get the charge refunded and the card cancelled and replaced.

Staying up to date with your account activity means you’ll know immediately if a change is made without your knowledge.

You can get a free credit report once a year from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing this report for accuracy can help keep your information secure.

Freezing your credit account prevents from new accounts being opened in your name. Just know that you do have to pay to have your account frozen, and you’ll have to manually lift and reinstate it whenever you apply for credit yourself.

How to Set Up a Virtual Machine for Free and get it done

How to Set Up a Virtual Machine for Free and get it done yourself. This post will teach you how to set up a virtual machine for free. There are plenty of reasons to run a virtual machine. The first, and most compelling, is that you want to play: Maybe there are some other operating system you want to dabble with (cough Linux cough), but you don’t want to deal with installing another hard drive, partitioning your existing drive, or setting up your system a different way.
Virtual machines are great because they allow you to install an operating system within your existing operating system. Everything you do within this new OS—cue Inception soundtrack—is sandboxed from your primary OS. Anything you install, or mess up, can be deleted with a few clicks of a mouse. (And if you’re smart, you saved a version of your secondary OS right after you installed it, so you can quickly go back to a clean, fresh version of Linux, Windows, or whatever.)
Even better, you can set up a virtual machine on your system for free. Here’s how to get started:

The apps you’ll need

You can pay for a virtual machine app like VMWare Workstation Pro, VMWare Fusion, or Parallels Desktop, but I recommend using the free VirtualBox app if you’re new to the wide world of virtual machines. (If you’re using Windows 10 Pro, you also get a free, built-in virtualization tool, too.)
For simplicity’s sake, all of my examples in this article will come from a Windows version of VirtualBox, but the app is cross-platform. (For Mac users, VirtualBox is a great alternative if you don’t want to Boot Camp into Windows, for example.)
A virtual machine isn’t very helpful without an operating system to install on it. And for that, you might have to get a little creative. For Windows, you can grab the Windows media installation tool and use it to download an image (.ISO) of the operating system, which you’ll then load into VirtualBox.

You can also download one of the free virtual machine images Microsoft offers, which expire after 90 days.
If you’re looking to run a virtual version of macOS on macOS, you’ll have a few hoops to jump through. It’s not as straightforward of a process as running a virtual version any other operating system, but it’s possible. If you want to run macOS on Windows—especially if you’re using VirtualBox—you’re in for a world of hurt. It’s complicated, a pain in the butt to configure, and I found that it ran incredibly slowly on my souped-up system when I did it.
You’ll probably want to try the free VMWare Player if you go this route, and consult guides over at /r/hackintosh or helpful YouTube tutorials (like this one) to get macOS to work on your Windows system. Creating a Hackintosh is a guide in itself, and something I’ll definitely revisit in a future article—if I can get it to not be terrible.

Setting up VirtualBox

To get started with your virtual machine—be it Windows, Linux, or macOS (if you’re really going for it)—load VirtualBox and click on the big “New” button in the corner. You can’t miss it.
(If you downloaded Microsoft’s free virtual machine images instead of a Windows .ISO file, you’ll instead click on File > Import Appliance and find the .OVA file you unzipped. Import that, and you’ll be able to fire it up immediately—no other configuration required, though you might want to tweak some settings, as we discuss later, to get the best performance.)

Give your new operating system a name, select what it is—Windows, Linux, macOS, et cetera—and select the correct version of whatever you’re installing. If you only see 32-bit options, you might have to do a little troubleshooting to unlock 64-bit versions. It might be worth investigating, however, as a 64-bit version of your virtualized OS can use more than 4GB of memory (if you plan to dedicate that much to your OS-in-an-OS). If you’re using a 32-bit processor, because your computer is ancient, then you should just stick with a 32-bit version of your virtual operating system.

When VirtualBox asks you how much of your system’s memory you’d like to devote to your virtual OS, I’d stick with its recommendations—specifically, stay in the “green zone.” You’ll probably want at least 2–4GB at minimum for Windows to run smoothly. If you can get to 8GB, even better. (And, yes, everything is measured in MB in VirtualBox, so 2GB translates to 2048MB, 4GB to 4096MB, et cetera.)
You can always the amount of memory you’re dedicating to your virtual machine after the fact. If you’re not happy with your initial choice, tweak it and see how that affects your virtual machine’s performance.
Next, VirtualBox will ask you to set up a “hard disk”—really, a file serving as a hard drive—for your virtual machine to use. Once you click “Create,” you’ll be presented with three different file types you can select for your hard disk file:

You should be fine to stick with the default option: the VirtualBox Disk Image, or VDI. On the next screen, however, you’ll want to think about the choice you make. You can select to create a dynamically allocated disk, which only eats up space on your actual hard drive when you use it (but doesn’t shrink when you delete files on your virtual operating system), or you can just set a fixed size for the hard drive your virtual OS will use.
A fixed disk is faster than a dynamically allocated disk, but you’ll have to dedicate all the space up front instead of letting your virtual OS use more and more as you fill it up with stuff. I’d go fixed disk myself, because it simplifies everything and gives you the best performance, but if you’re pressed for space, you might just have to stick with a dynamically allocated disk.

You’ll set the disk’s size on the next screen:

Once VirtualBox creates your disk, you’ll see your brand-new virtual machine, all ready to go! But not quite. There are still a few more settings you’ll need to take a look at, so select your virtual machine and click the big Settings gear icon.

There’s a lot you can tweak to squeeze as much performance out of your virtual machine as possible, including adjusting how much memory it gets, how much of your processor you’re dedicating to your virtual operating system, and how much video memory it should have. You can adjust these settings now via the System and Display menus. When you’re done, you’ll want to visit the Storage menu so you can actually install your operating system.
Within Storage, you’ll see a little icon of a CD (or DVD) with the word “Empty” next to it. Select it, then click on the image of a CD (or DVD) in the right-most “Attributes” section, to the right of “Optical Drive.” Select the “Choose Virtual Optical Disk File” option, find the image of the operating system you’re looking to install, and select it.

If you’re done editing your virtual machine’s settings—and you should really check out USB, to ensure your host system’s connected devices can also be used by your virtual machine, as well as General > Advanced for shared clipboard and drag’n’drop functionality between your host and virtual OS—click on OK. Then click on the big green “Start” arrow and launch your virtual operating system. With luck, it’ll boot into its setup process, and you’ll be ready to install it as if you were setting up a brand-new desktop or laptop.

Once you have your virtual machine up and running, you’ll want to make ample use of VirtualBox’s Snapshot feature (under its “Machine” menu). A snapshot allows you to save and restore the state of the virtual machine at any point. So, once you have your fresh version of the operating system installed, take a snapshot. If you muck up your virtual machine or want to revert it back to its pure, untouched state (without having to reinstall your operating system), you can just restore your snapshot. Or, if you’re about to do something that might mess up your virtual machine for any reason, take a snapshot first—same principle.

How to Protect Your Personal Brand’s Website From a Cyber

How to Protect Your Personal Brand’s Website From a Cyber is an important issue to look into as it has become a world problem.
Your personal brand’s website is your calling card to attract loyal followers, and an unexpected cyber attack can cost you both time and money.
What types of activity are you currently monitoring from the back end? With the right tools and knowledge, your brand can increase its security levels and help prevent an attack.
Here are several ways you can effectively protect your website and online reputation.

1. Find out what your host provider offers.

It is important that you have access to a long history of logs. Find out what your current provider offers and maybe even pay for an upgrade. If you are running on a shared hosting package then this is especially critical to know.

2. Don’t forget to do regular full backups.

Your website may not be automatically backed up by your hosting company. Instead you need to purchase or use free backup tools in order to save your valuable content, images and installations. Do this at least once a month as plugins and themes are upgraded on a regular basis.

3. Create a plan of action for you and/or your team.

In the case of any security breaches, it’s good practice to have a well outlined strategy in place with all of the right contacts such as a web developer. This will provide clarity and minimize any mistakes.

4. Check in daily during the work week.

Log into your website and keep a lookout for any messages from security plugins, spam activity, updates, ect. If anything is outdated or there are too many spam comments and referrals, this may be a good time to upgrade your security.
Avoiding an attack by a cyber criminal can be reduced or eliminated with the right checks and balances in place. If your brand finds out that something has been compromised, you should contact your web developer and host provider right away. It’s better to seek expert advice to assess the situation and fix any technical issues that may be opening you up for a breach.

How to work with layers in Photoshop?

Explore the world of Layer Styles in Photoshop, how they can improve your art and how you can arrange them effectively.

How to work with layers in Photoshop? Layers enable non-destructive editing, where you can make changes to images without having to make them permanently. Think masking on a layer mask rather than erasing parts of your layer forever, or even just duplicating your entire document to another folder while you do something a little risky to it.
Layer masks fit into this category, too. They’re quick fixes that you can apply to layers to make them stand out from the layers below them. Best of all, anything you apply to your layers – whether it’s a glow, a shadow or even a complete remodel of it via a bevel – doesn’t have to be forever.

How do you create a new layer in Photoshop?

There are two ways to create a new layer in Photoshop:

Now that you know how to create a new layer in Photoshop, we’re going to look at how you can use them, focussing specifically on Layer Styles. Just like other layers, Layer styles can be stacked, and by using the Fill, you can reduce their Opacity without changing the Opacity of the layer that they’re applied to.
Remember, when you’re finished, if you wish, you can use the Rasterize Layer Style option to set it permanently – destructively, if you like. Let’s dive into how you use layer styles on a simple digital illustration, which is made up of a number of layers of selections, created with the Pen tool.

01. Make the most of bevel and emboss option

You can access bevel and emboss options by clicking Layer>Layer Style>Bevel & Emboss. You can also choose other layer styles from this window.
Bevel and Emboss are shaping tools for giving your objects subtle contour and volume. They apply natural-looking highlight and shade to your selections, and you can even go as far as to pick a specific style and smoothness of the effect.
Depth determines how dramatic the effect you’re applying is, and creates more or less light and shade. Size will determine how big the effect looks on the object, while then the Soften slider creates a rounded finish to the bevel.
The Angle option will help you to align the light from a specific direction, and Global Light will enable you to have all objects with layer styles following the same light direction. Use the Contour feature to alter the texture of the bevel itself.
Highlight and Shadow Mode are two sliders for completely controlling the light and shade, from how severe it is to how it hits the object. Use Overlay for both for subtlety, and use Screen and Multiply respectively for a more severe effect, for example.

02. Multiple ways of working with overlays

There are so many ways to fill a selection with colour, but Gradient, Pattern and Color Overlay in Layer styles are three of the most reliable. These colours will fill the object whether you move it or not, and you can even change the Overlay’s Opacity and Blend mode.
You can alter the direction that you wish for the gradient or pattern to follow, by using the Angle icon. The Gradient box should be used for selections of colour, in a similar way to how you might clip a layer to another layer as a clipping mask. Overlays are capable of altering the Opacity or Blend mode to react in different ways.

03. Apply a drop shadow to your art

When working with layers in Photoshop, the Drop Shadow is one of the most versatile Layer Styles that you’ll come across. It’s not only used for the obvious, fuzzy black space  behind objects, but it can be used for an almost unnoticeable way to make an object stand out in a painting.
Distance can help position your shadow a little further away, and the Spread slider can control the density of your shadow. The size will determine how big it appears; reduce it right down to have a completely hard edge.
Blend mode and Color are what determine how your drop shadow reacts with the layers below. Choosing a dark colour and Multiply will create a shadow effect, while a light colour and Screen will introduce more of a glow effect.
And just like with the Bevel & Emboss section, Contour can help you to change the actual texture of the shadow, when combined with Noise. This isn’t commonly used, but is still worth experimenting with nevertheless.

04. Alter the intensity of light with the Glow layer styles

The Inner and Outer Glow layer styles are two of the most popular available for controlling light or shine. They’re mostly used just with a bright white colour, but this doesn’t mean you can’t apply them to other colours.
Pick a colour and gradient with the options available. Using a gradient can be useful if you only want the glow to appear over some of the object.
Opacity and Noise can help to define exactly how bright and clear the glow itself looks. Change the Blend mode too to alter the way the glow looks against the colours behind it
The Elements box will help you to set a Choke and Size. This controls the intensity of the glow to a degree; the smaller these numbers are, often the more realistic it looks.

05. Emphasise an object’s appearance with a Stroke

Perhaps the simplest layer style of all, the Stroke option is just a basic outline around the inside, outside or centre of your object. Change the colour and blend mode, and use it to make some selections stand out a lot more than others.
If you choose the inside option for the Position, the stroke will likely have sharper edges; if you choose Outside, the stroke will curl around pointy edges in your selection. Centre is the midpoint of these two styles.
The Size slider is the most important when it comes to Stroke. Use it to determine whether you want a thick, obvious line around your selection, or a hairline stroke to just subtly highlight a selection.
The Color and Fill Type options are there to choose the important details. Again, use a gradient if you only want a partial stroke around your object.
This article originally appeared in ImagineFX magazine issue 161; We got it from creativeblog all to improve your skill on layer using photoshop.