Internet Safety
WARNING• There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything
you do on the computer and on the Internet.
• If you are in danger, please try to use a safer computer
that someone abusive does not have direct access, or even remote (hacking)
access to.
• It might be safer to use a computer in a public library,
at a community technology center (CTC) www.ctcnet.org (national
directory), at a trusted friend’s house, or an Internet Café.
• If you think your activities are being monitored, they probably
are. Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every
move. You don’t need to be a computer programmer or have special
skills to monitor someone’s computer activities – anyone
can do it and there are many ways to monitor.
• Computers can provide a lot of information about what you
look at on the Internet, the emails you send, and other activities.
It's very difficult, if not possible, to delete or clear all computer “footprints”.
• If you think you may be monitored on your home computer,
you might consider no home Internet use or "safer" Internet
surfing. Example: If you are planning to flee to California, don't
look at classified ads for jobs and apartments, bus tickets, etc for
California on a home computer or any computer an abuser has physical
or remote access to. Use a safer computer to research an escape plan.
If you must use your own computer, please review the
information below. Taking all of the actions on this page may not
prevent an abuser from
discovering your email and Internet activity. The safest way to
find
information on the Internet is to go to a safer computer. Some
suggestions would be your local library, a friend's house or your
workplace. Other safety suggestions: Change your password
often, do not
pick obvious words or numbers for your password, and make sure to
include a combination of letters and numbers for your password.
How an Abuser Can Track Your Activities
Email
If an abuser has access to your email account, he or she may be able to
read your incoming and outgoing mail. Even if you believe your account
is secure, make sure you choose a password he or she will not be able
to guess.
If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, you can
print and save them as evidence of this abuse. These messages may also
constitute a federal offense. For more information on this issue,
contact your local United States Attorney's Office.
ERASING YOUR TRACKS
History/cache file:
If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history of cache file
(automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she may be able to
see information you have viewed on the Internet.
You can clear your history or empty your cache file in your brower's settings*
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.
Autocomplete:
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.
* NOTE: This information may not completely hide your tracks. Many browser
types have features that display recently visited sites. The safest way
to find information on the Internet would be at a local library, a
friend's house, or at work.
For help call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224 |
Computer Safety
