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Caching is the action of storing Web files for later reuse so that they can be easily accessed at a later date.
When you are browsing the Internet, your Internet browser will store a HTML page code, graphics and multimedia elements in the cache.
This way when you return to that particular Web page, the information doesn’t have to be downloaded all over again.
The cache is actually a form of high-speed memory. Your computer sets it aside to store frequently accessed data. The data can then be accessed directly from the hard drive, instead of the Internet server.
Accessing the hard drive is a much faster process than accessing a server, so essentially the cache speeds up the time it takes to view frequently visited pages.
Keep in mind that the cache can build up over time and actually slow down your hard drive. It is advisable to clean out your cache from time to time.
Also keep in mind that many of the computer viruses and worms being sent on the internet often originate as picture files, and can easily damage or even destroy your hard drive if you don’t have anti-virus software installed and updated frequently.
