There are ways that an abuser can access your email and also find out where you have been on the internet. It is impossible to to hide all your tracks. There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the Internet.
If you are in danger, please try to use a safer computer that someone abusive does not have access to. You can go to a public terminal at a library, community center, or domestic or sexual violence organization. There is a national directory of community technology centers at www.ctcnet.org.
You can find additional information on internet security at www.shelternet.ca/en/women/internet-safety/. You can also find further information and assistance on cyberstalking from The National Center for Victims of Crime.
The information below provides some ways that you can cover some of your tracks. Please be aware that you cannot cover all your tracks. It is not possible to delete or clear all computer "footprints".
The information on this page comes directly from Womenslaw.org, an organization that provides easy-to-understand legal information to women living with or escaping domestic violence. WomensLaw.org is a wonderful resource on internet safety, threatening or harassing emails, and different state's domestic violence laws. If you have concerns about internet safety or security, please go to their website for the latest information and updates. http://www.womenslaw.org/internet.htm or http://www.womenslaw.org/ and click on "internet security"
Can an abuser see what websites I have visited?
How do I remove files from my history and cache?
How do I remove items from my temp files?
What about cookies?
How do I turn off AutoComplete?
Can an abuser see what websites I have visited?
Yes. There are a number of different ways your abuser can tell what websites you have visited.
We have information on ways to help increase your safety below. But this information may not completely hide your tracks -- especially if your abuser knows a lot about computers, since there are other ways internet activity can be tracked. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. The safest way to find information on the Internet is at a computer that your abuser cannot access. Try a local domestic violence organization, a local library, a community center, a friend's house, or at work.
How do I remove files from my history and cache?
If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history and cache files (automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the Internet. You can remove individual files from your history; or you can clear your history and/or empty your cache file in your browser's settings.
Be very cautious about clearing all of your cache or history files. Your abuser could become suspicious and upset if he sees all files have been cleared. It may be better for you to remove individual files from your history, or use a computer that your abuser doesn't have access to. If you decide to clear your history or empty your cache, you should visit a few "innocent" websites, like your local weather page, a website about kid's activities, a recipe list, or any websites your abuser already knows you routinely visit. This may make it less obvious that you've recently cleared your History or Cache.
How to remove files from your history/cache or empty of of the files in your history/cache will depend on what browser you use. Some common browsers are Netscape, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and AOL. If you're unsure of what type of browser you use, open up your internet. Then click on "Help". This should give you a drop-down menu. Look at the last option in that drop down menu. It should say "About ____". That will tell you what type of browser you are using. For example, if you're using Internet Explorer, it will say "About Internet Explorer". If you're using Firefox, it will say "About Mozilla Firefox".
Netscape
Deleting individual files from your history Pull down the GO menu then click on HISTORY. A list of the pages you have viewed should appear on the left-hand side of your browser. Right click on the individual page you wish to delete, then select DELETE.
Clearing your cache on newer versions of Netscape Pull down TOOLS menu, select OPTIONS. Click on PRIVACY. Click on the button marked CLEAR ALL. This will clear your cache, history, and cookies.
Clearing your cache on older versions of Netscape Pull down EDIT menu, select PREFERENCES. Click on NAVIGATOR and choose CLEAR HISTORY. Click on Advanced then select Cache. Click on CLEAR DISK CACHE.
Additionally, make sure that the "USE INLINE AUTOCOMPLETE" box is NOT checked. (If checked, this function will complete a partial web address while typing a location in the address bar at the top of the browser.)
Internet Explorer
Deleting individual files from your history Click on the HISTORY icon from the toolbar at the top of your browser. A list of the pages you have viewed should appear on the left-hand side of your browser. Right click on the individual page you wish to delete, then select DELETE.
Clearing your cache and history Open the TOOLS menu, choose INTERNET OPTIONS, then choose the GENERAL tab at the top. In the section called TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES click on DELETE FILES to clear your cache. On the same screen, in the section called HISTORY, click on the CLEAR HISTORY button to erase your history list.
Additionally, make sure that the USE INLINE AUTOCOMPLETE box is not checked. (If checked, this function will complete a partial web address while typing a location in the address bar at the top of the browser.) Click on the TOOLS icon at the top of your Internet Explorer Page, then click on INTERNET OPTIONS, and then click on the ADVANCED tab. About halfway down there is a USE AUTOCOMPLETE box that can be checked and unchecked by clicking on it. Make sure it is unchecked.
Firefox
Removing individual files from your history Open the GO menu. At the bottom of this drop-down menu, click on HISTORY. A list of the pages you have viewed should appear on the left-hand side of your browser. Right click on the individual page you wish to delete, then select DELETE.
Clearing your cache and history Pull down TOOLS menu, select OPTIONS. Click on the PRIVACY tab on the left side. Click on CLEAR ALL on the lower right hand side. This will clear your history, cached files and cookies. AOL
Deleting individual files from your history AOL software does not currently allow you to remove individual files from your history or cache. Check with a member of AOL customer service for further information.
Clearing your history and cache on newer versions of AOL Click on the MY AOL icon at the top of your screen. Click on PREFERENCES, then click the button marked WWW. A pop-up menu will appear. Under TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES, click on DELETE FILES. Also click on CLEAR HISTORY.
Clearing your cache on older versions of AOL Pull down MEMBERS menu, select PREFERENCES. Click on WWW icon. Then select ADVANCED. Click on PURGE CACHE.
Additionally, make sure that the "USE INLINE AUTOCOMPLETE" box is NOT checked. (If checked, this function will complete a partial web address while typing a location in the address bar at the top of the browser.)
If you are using a browser that is not listed here, or if these instructions are confusing for you, please consult your browser's help files or customer service department. Also, consider using a safer computer (one that your abuser does not have access to). You can also contact WomensLaw.org for more information.
How do I remove items from my temp files?
In some cases, your computer will automatically save certain websites and files you have downloaded in your TEMP folder. If you view any forms or other PDF files, these will probably be stored in this folder. In many cases, clearing your cache will remove files from your TEMP folder -- but here's how to double-check or remove individual files from your TEMP folder on a PC.
Go to your computer's desktop. Click on MY COMPUTER. Then click on LOCAL DISK (C:). Look for a folder called TEMP. Once you find it, double-click on that folder. If you don't see a folder called temp, click on the folder marked WINDOWS, then look for a folder marked TEMP and double click on it.
Once you have opened your TEMP file, you should see all of the files that are stored in there. Choose a file that you want to delete. Right click on that file and select DELETE. Repeat this process until you have deleted all of the files you don't want your abuser to see. Once you've finished, close this window.
There's still one more step. The files you just deleted may be stored in your RECYCLE BIN. Go to your computer's desktop and double click on your RECYCLE BIN. Select the files you just deleted from your temp files, and delete them from your recycle bin, too.
What about cookies?
Some websites will install "cookies", or a small piece of information that is stored on your computer. Cookies can allow your computer to save your preferences or reload a website quickly. Websites also use cookies to track where you travel within a particular site. If your abuser is comfortable with computers, he may be able to identify some places that you have visited on the internet by viewing your cookies.
You can delete the cookies off of your computer, however you should be cautious before you do it. If your abuser is monitoring your computer use, he may see that you deleted all of the cookies and get suspicious or angry. Remeber, the safest way to browse the internet is by using a safer computer that your abuser doesn't have access to.
Here's how to delete cookies on a PC. Close your internet and go to your desktop. From the Windows Start Menu, click on CONTROL PANEL, then click on INTERNET OPTIONS. Select the tab marked GENERAL at the top. Go to TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES then click on DELETE COOKIES.
You can also set your computer to warn you in the future about, and allow you to reject, cookies that are being installed into your computer. This may not be a safe option for you if you share a computer with your abuser. If your abuser is surfing the internet and receives a pop-up message telling him that cookies are being installed on his computer, he could figure out that you've changed the settings on your computer. For more information on setting your computer to reject cookies or warn you before installing them, go to Internet JunkBusters cookie page at www.junkbusters.com/ht/en/cookies.html or Cookie Central at www.cookiecentral.com.
How do I turn off AutoComplete?
Deleting individual entries from AutoComplete
When you fill out a form, Windows XP's AutoComplete feature drops down a list with information you've previously typed into the form. You may want to delete individual entries that your abuser would find suspicious.
Individual AutoComplete list entries are fairly easy to delete:
Please note that this won't work for Web addresses typed into Internet Explorer's address bar. To clear those, you need to delete your browser's history. For more information, see How do I remove websites from my history and cache?
Turning off AutoComplete completely>
You can set your computer to turn off AutoComplete entirely. This will keep anyone from seeing your user names, passwords, and other information in drop-down windows. However, your abuser may think it's suspicious if he uses your computer and notices you have turned off AutoComplete. Remeber, the safest way to browse the internet is by using a computer your abuser doesn't have access to.
Here's how to turn off AutoComplete:
Much of the information on AutoComplete came from www.andyrathbone.com/tips/autocomplete.html