Internet Safety
Computer and Internet Activities
If you think your activities are being monitored, they probably are. You may want to use a computer that someone abusive does not have direct or remote (hacking) access to.
It is not possible to delete or clear all the "footprints" of your computer or online activities. Consider contacting a domestic violence agency for expert help with your planning or utilize an online safety planning tool. For more detailed Safety Tips, visit www.womenslaw.org/about-abuse/safety-tips.
You don't need to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone's computer and Internet activities. Anyone can do it and there are many ways to monitor with programs like spyware, keystroke loggers and hacking tools.
If you are being monitored, suddenly changing your computer behaviors (e.g. suddenly deleting your entire Internet history) may arouse suspicion. You may want to keep using the monitored computer for normal activities, such as looking up the weather or recipes.
Use a safer computer to research an escape plan, look for new jobs or apartments, bus tickets, or ask for help.
Email and Instant/Text Messaging (IM)
Email and Instant/Text Messaging (IM) are not confidential ways to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life. If possible, please call instead. If you use email or IM, use a safer computer and an account your abuser does not know about.
Safer Computers
Computers can store private information about what you look at via the Internet, the emails and instant messages you send, internet-based phone and IP-TTY calls you make, web-based purchases and banking, and many other activities. It might be safer to use a computer in a public library, at a trusted friend's house, or an Internet Café. You may want to use an account your abuser does not know about.
Learn more about internet safety: