Prevent an Abuser From Discovering Internet Activities

How An Abuser Can Discover Your Internet Activities

EMAIL: If an abuser has access to your email account, he or she may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password your partner will not be able to guess. If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, they can be printed and saved as evidence of this abuse. Additionally, the messages may constitute a federal offense.

HISTORY/CACHE FILE: If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the internet. You can clear your history or empty your cache file in your browser's settings. *

NETSCAPE:
Pull down EDIT menu, select PREFERENCES.
Click on Navigator and click CLEAR HISTORY and then CLEAR LOCATION BAR.
Click on ADVANCED then select CACHE.
Click on CLEAR DISK CACHE.

On older versions on Netscape:
Pull down OPTIONS menu.
Select NETWORK OPTIONS.
Select CACHE.
Click on CLEAR DISK CACHE.

INTERNET EXPLORER:
Pull down VIEW (or TOOLS) menu, select INTERNET OPTIONS.
On GENERAL page, under TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES, click on DELETE FILES.
Under HISTORY, click on CLEAR HISTORY.

AOL:
Pull down MEMBERS menu, select PREFERENCES.
Click on WWW ICON.
Then select ADVANCED.
PURGE CACHE.

*This information may not completely hide your tracks. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. The safest way to find information on the internet, would be at a local library, a friend's house, or at work.

(From The Wingspan Domestic Violence Project Fall Newsletter)