How do I stop or block caches?

Question

Level 1

9 points

How do I stop or block caches?

I am now on Mountanin Lion.

I have been able to block cookies by using the Safari preferences to do this. However I still get hundreds of "Caches" from God only knows what websites that still appear in Safari until I remove them.

I don't trust caches because I think they are cookies in disguise gathering data until I slip up and turn off the cookie blocker.

What are they? How can I block caches as I do for cookies? Why isn't there a "caches blocker" as is done with cookies?

Also, the "Do Not Track" website thing doesn't appear to have any effect on either cookies or caches.

Suggestions or edification welcomed.

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 5:48 AM

Reply

Answer 1

qap

Level 1

23 points

Jul 28, 2012 6:00 AM in response to AKARUPERT

From the Safari prefereneces, under the Advanced tab, check the "show develop menu on menubar", and after near the Bookmark word in menubar you will see the Develop menu, click and select "Disable Cache".

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Answer 2

AKARUPERT Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 28, 2012 6:08 AM in response to qap

qap:

This did not work. Still getting caches even though I've Disabled Caches as you have suggested.

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Answer 3

qap

Level 1

23 points

Jul 28, 2012 6:11 AM in response to AKARUPERT

So it's a Safari bug?! I don't know other ways, maybe you can lock the safari cache folder on your library but I would not do it, I don't know if it's a secure thing to do!

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Answer 4

AKARUPERT Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 28, 2012 6:14 AM in response to AKARUPERT

I don't know; I don't trust caches. What data are they caching?

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 28, 2012 11:54 AM in response to AKARUPERT

Safari > Private Browsing...

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Answer 6

AKARUPERT Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 29, 2012 3:29 AM in response to Linc Davis

This also does not work. The caches appear with Block Cookies Always, Private Browsing and Do No Track all enabled.

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 29, 2012 10:36 AM in response to AKARUPERT

Nothing is added to the cache while Private Browsing is enabled. That's in the official documentation. If you don't believe it, I suggest you use another browser.

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Answer 8

AKARUPERT Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 29, 2012 3:34 PM in response to Linc Davis

Well, it's simply not true. The number of caches increases (quite a lot) each time I jump to different websites. Seventeen (17) just came up while I am on this screen typing this response. I'm not sure that saying "use another browser" is an appropriate response.

What's in a cache anyway? Why is it needed?

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Answer 9

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 29, 2012 9:36 PM in response to AKARUPERT

There is only one cache file, so I'm not sure what you're referring to.

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Answer 10

Jul 29, 2012 10:59 PM in response to AKARUPERT

Go to ~/Library/Safari and lock the History.plist file. Remember to entirely clear your cache in Safari first.

You can also do the same to cookies.plist, but that's is stored in the Cookies folder, not Safari.

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Answer 11

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 30, 2012 7:37 AM in response to Community User

DO NOT lock the history file or any other file.

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Answer 12

AKARUPERT Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 3, 2012 3:40 AM in response to Linc Davis

I have not blocked any file (or done anything). I just find it odd that Safari allows me to block cookies but it does not allow me to block the hundreds of caches that pop up from hundreds of websites each time I surf the web.

No one can even tell me what information is in these "caches".

Thanks for trying though.

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