Warning
Even if you take these cautionary steps, your abuser may be able to discover your online activities. To ensure that your online activities are not discovered by your abuser, you should use a computer that your abuser cannot access (i.e. public library, safe family or friend’s computer, etc).
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS FOR INTERNET USE
If you are in an abusive relationship and your abuser has access to your computer, it is important that you take precautionary steps to hide your internet activities.
If an abuser has access to your email account, they may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password they will not be able to guess.
If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence of this abuse. Additionally, the messages may constitute a federal offense. For more information on this issue, contact your local United States Attorney's Office.
Internet
If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), they may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the internet. You can clear your history or empty your cache file in your browser’s settings.
Please note that if you are in an abusive relationship, clearing your browser’s history file may not be the safest step. If your abuser is monitoring your internet use, they may be upset by this action and demand to know why it has been cleared thereby increasing the risk of abuse. The safest way for a survivor of domestic violence to access the internet without being tracked is to use a computer that the abuser cannot access (i.e. public library, safe family or friend’s computer, etc). For more information on safety planning, click here.
Netscape: Pull down Edit menu, select Preferences. Click on Navigator or choose "Clear History". Click on Advanced then select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache".
Internet Explorer: Pull down Tools menu, select Internet Options. On General page under Temporary Internet Files, Click on Delete Files. If asked, check the box to delete all offline content. Still within the Temporary Internet Files section, click on Setting (This step may make it harder to navigate pages where you would like your information to be remembered, but these remaining cookies do show website pages you have visited. Therefore, use your own judgment as to whether or not to take this next step). Click on "View Files", Manually highlight all the files (cookies) shown, then hit Delete. Close that window, then on General page under History section, click on "Clear History."
AOL: Pull down Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache.
Additionally, you need to make sure that the "Use Inline Autocomplete" box is NOT checked. This function will complete partial web addresses while typing location in the address bar at the top of the browser.
If you are using Internet Explorer, this box can be found on the MS Internet Explorer Page by clicking on "Tools" at the top of the screen, then "Internet Options" and then the "Advanced" tab. About halfway down there is a "Use Inline Autocomplete" box that can be checked or unchecked by clicking on it. Uncheck the box to disable the feature that automatically completes an Internet address when you start typing in the Internet address box.
These above actions are the first of many steps you can take to become safe in a violent relationship. For more information on safety planning, click here or call the Doorways for Women and Families 24-hour hotline at 703-237-0881.