How to remove this site from your computer history
The Internet can be a place to get information and contacts. However, your activities on the Internet can be tracked quite easily. If someone wants to control you or wants to find out what you are doing, there are many ways they can gather this information. It does not take any special computer expertise to follow anther person's activities. Please be cautious if you share your computer with your abuser.
There are also ways you can protect yourself as you use the Internet. The following is a guide to help you maintain your safety as you use the web or send emails. Remember, that none of these can protect you completely.
Use a computer your abuser cannot access. Local libraries and community centres have computers available for free public use of the Internet. Be aware that unless the computer terminal is in a secluded location, others may see what appears on the computer screen. After you 'visit' a sensitive or potentially dangerous site go to a number of unrelated sites to 'hide' your activity in the website address drop down bar.
Note that a record of the sites you visit will remain. The 'browser', a computer program that helps you see websites, maintains a record of the websites you visit. If your abuser has access to your computer, your site visits may be tracked by looking at these records. Information on where you go on the web is recorded in the Location Bar, History, and Temporary Internet Files or Cache of your browser. To be safe you will want to delete parts or all of the information in these locations. How to do this will vary, depending upon the browser and version number.
Another item on your computer's hard drive that will provide some record of your activities on the web are 'cookies.' A cookie on your computer can almost always be traced back to the website that first 'placed' it. Software exists that lets another computer check your computer's cookies remotely. Most sites that provide safety information for women who are dealing with violence, including Women's Resources site, do not use cookies.
Email
Never send email containing confidential information or information that may threaten your safety if your abuser reads it.
Avoid using email programs that are on your computer as your abuser may be able to access your email correspondence. Sign up for a free email account through a web-based service instead. Ask a friend to provide the contact information this service will require before they issue you an account. You will be able to access this account from any computer that is hooked up to the Internet. Protect your password.
Be aware that with some expertise, these accounts can be traced.
A good practice is to:
- Delete sent email from the 'Out' or 'Send' box,
- then delete from the 'Deleted Items' or 'Trash'
- Delete received email from your 'In' or 'Received' box
- then delete from the 'Deleted Items' or 'Trash'
Note that even if you are using a computer that your abuser has no access to, emails are stored by the email service provider and a copy may exist with the receiver or sender. Lawyers or police can subpoena this information.
