Internet
Safety
- Computers record everything you do. It is impossible to
clear your tracks completely.
Your computer stores hundreds of bits of information about everything
you do with your computer, including information about which websites
you've visited, your passwords, and what your emails say. Your abuser
can readily track the websites you visit or read your email messages.
- If you suspect 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 your activities - even without
having direct access to your computer.
- Email is not a safe or confidential way to communicate. Sending email
is like sending a postcard through the mail. Anyone along the path
can read what it says. If you need to talk to someone about the danger
or abuse in your life, if possible, please call a hotline instead.
- If you must use email to discuss your situation,
we suggest you use an account that your abuser doesn't know about.
Set up a new account with a free email service like hotmail, yahoo,
or gmail. DO NOT use a name or password that contains any identifying
information (no names, nicknames, initials, birthdates, zipcodes,
etc.) Instead use a name and password that contains a random mix
of letters, CAPITAL letters and numbers (for example, HJ3v67Tn) -
Make sure you can remember the user name and password! If you must
write it down somewhere, put it in a place your abuser is unlikely
to find it. If the computer asks if you would like it to save your
password or login information tell it NO.
- If you must use a computer that your abuser knows about,
we suggest "safer" Internet surfing. For example, if you
are planning to flee to California, don't look just at California
web pages for jobs, apartments, bus tickets, etc. Look for the same
information in at least a half dozen other states too.
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