 | If you are in an abusive relationship, visiting this site may put you at
risk. Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself:
 | E-mail: If your abuser has access to your computer, he or she may
be able to read your incoming and outgoing e-mail. Make sure you select
a password that no one else can guess, and remember that deleted e-mail may
still be on your computer in a folder called "Trash" or "Deleted Mail".
To remove items from these folders, select the "Empty Deleted Items" or
"Empty Trash" option, which is often found on the "Edit" menu. |
| Web Browser" The sites you visit on the Internet are automatically
saved in a "History" file on you PC that can be accessed by anyone. To
remove pages from your history, perform the following steps (remember that
EACH time you visit this site, you must repeat these steps):
 | Internet Explorer users: Click on "Tools" in your top menu, then
"Internet Options". Click the buttons labeled "Clear History" or
"Delete History". Also Click "Delete Files" under "Temporary
Internet Files". |
| Netscape users: Click on "Edit" in your top menu, then
"Preferences". Under "Navigator" in the "History" section, click on
"Clear History" and "Clear Location Bar". |
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| If your abuser leaves behind their computer, or buys you or your children
a computer do not use it. It could have software installed on it that
can monitor your every movement on the computer and in your home.
(cameras are very small and can be put in any thing, toys, monitors, TV, DVD
players, VCRs, stereos, you name it it can be equipped with a camera so small
you might miss it with a naked eye). |
| 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), at a trusted friend's house or an internet Cafe'. |
| 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 is 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. |
