Internet Privacy

Plan for your safety
If you think someone is monitoring your computer, they probably are. Be careful. You may want to keep using your main/home computer or phone for regular, everyday activities, like looking up the weather. Use a safer computer or phone to research an escape plan, look for new jobs or apartments, bus tickets, as well as research or ask for help.

 

Email and text messaging are not safe
Email and Instant/Text Messaging (IM) are not safe or confidential ways to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life. If possible, please call a crisis line instead. If you use email or IM, please use a safer computer and an account your abuser does not know about. It might be safer to use a computer in a public library, at a community centre or at a trusted friend’s house.

 

Cover your email tracks:
1. Be sure to delete any outgoing and incoming emails. Be sure to empty the deleted items/trash folder also (this action more completely deletes the emails).
2. Change your email password often (at least once a month).
3. Print all threatening and harassing emails to use as evidence of criminal activity.

 

Private Browsing
Private Browsing is an option on many web browsers. However, using another computer is still wise.

• In Windows/Internet Explorer, go to the Safety menu and select InPrivate Browsing. When done, close the browser window to complete your InPrivate session.
• In Mozilla/Firefox, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Start Private Browsing. To end a Private Browsing session, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Stop Private Browsing.
• In Google Chrome, this is called Incognito mode. To activate, Click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar and select New incognito window. A new window will open with the incognito icon in the corner. You can continue browsing as normal in the other window.

 

Cover your Internet tracks by Clearing history and Cache Files

• If you have surfed this and/or other websites you will have left a trail that allows others to see which websites you have visited.
• Following these steps should clear your browser’s history and cache files; this does not guarantee, however, that information will not be left on your browser.
• Be aware that an empty history can look suspicious (though it is better than an abuser seeing what sites you have been on, such as this one). As much as possible, use a safer computer.
  
  The following links provide instructions on privacy options in your browser:
  
  Internet Explorer / Edge
  Firefox
  Safari
  Google Chrome