Safe Internet Use

How to make sure that a perpetrator cannot discover your internet activities:

1. Clear your HISTORY (or CACHE)
2. Use PRIVATE BROWSING
3. Check your TOOLBARS
4. Make sure that INLINE AUTO COMPLETE is not on
5. Check your E-MAIL settings
 
Abusive E-mails
If a perpetrator sends you threatening or harassing email messages, you can print them and save them as evidence of this abuse.

THIS INFORMATION MAY NOT COMPLETELY COVER YOUR TRACKS.

Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. Your partner may also be suspicious if you have taken steps to cover your tracks. The safest way to find information on the Internet would be at a local library, a friend's house or at work.
 
1. Clear your HISTORY (or CACHE)

If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web-pages and graphics), he 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. Click on the name of your browser programme for instructions on how to do this:

Don't Know!
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Opera
Apple Safari
 

DON'T KNOW!:
To find out which type of browser you are using:

bullet point Click on HELP on the toolbar at the top of the browser screen.
bullet point A drop down menu will appear.
bullet point The last entry will say 'ABOUT INTERNET EXPLORER', 'ABOUT MOZILLA FIREFOX', or something similar.
bullet point The entry refers to which browser type you are using - you should then refer to the relevant instructions below.

 

INTERNET EXPLORER:
bullet point Pull down TOOLS menu.
bullet point Select INTERNET OPTIONS.
bullet point Select the GENERAL tab.
bullet point Click on DELETE....
bullet point Click on Delete all... (or click on Internet Files, Cookies, History).

bullet point Check that all history of your visited pages has been deleted by clicking the HISTORY icon.
 

MOZILLA FIREFOX:
bullet point Click on TOOLS.
bullet point Select CLEAR PRIVATE DATA.
bullet point Tick all the boxes.
bullet point Click on CLEAR PRIVATE DATA NOW button.

 

GOOGLE CHROME:
bullet point Click on WRENCH ICON.
bullet point Select CLEAR BROWSING DATA.
bullet point In the Clear Browsing Data dialog box, select the 'CLEAR BROWSING HISTORY' checkbox.
bullet point Click on CLEAR BROWSING DATA.

bullet point Alternatively, you can Select HISTORY after clicking on the wrench icon and Click on DELETE HISTORY FOR THIS DAY for the day you want to clear.
 

OPERA:
bullet point Click on TOOLS.
bullet point Select DELETE PRIVATE DATA.
bullet point Click on DETAILS.
bullet point Select all Details.
bullet point Click on the DELETE button.
 

APPLE SAFARI:
bullet point Click on HISTORY.
bullet point Select SELECT CLEAR HISTORY.
 
2. Use PRIVATE BROWSING

Some Web Browsers have a private mode that allow you to browse Internet without storing any data on your computer. Below are instructions on how to use use this feature.

Internet Explorer: Click on TOOLS bullet point Select INPRIVATE BROWSING (Ctrl + Shift + P)
Mozilla Firefox: Click on TOOLS bullet point Select START PRIVATE BROWSING (Ctrl + Shift + P) bullet point Click on START
Google Chrome: Click on WRENCH ICON bullet point Select NEW INCOGNITO WINDOW (Ctrl + Shift + N)
Apple Safari: Click on SAFARI MENU bullet point Select PRIVATE BROWSING > Click on OK
 
3. Check your TOOLBARS
Your Browser address toolbar data will be deleted following the Clear History steps provided. Toolbars such as Google, AOL and Yahoo keep a record of the search words you have typed into the toolbar search box. In order to erase all the search words you have typed in, you will need to check the individual instructions for each type of toolbar. For example, for the Google toolbar, all you need to do is click on the Google icon, and choose "Clear Search History".
 
4. Make sure that INLINE AUTO COMPLETE is not on

This function will complete a partial web address while typing a location in the address bar at the top of the browser or complete a partial word while filling a form such as a search box. Below are instructions to delete the AUTO COMPLETE History.

Internet Explorer: Click on TOOLS bullet point Select INTERNET OPTIONS bullet point Click on CONTENT tab bullet point Select AUTOCOMPLETE SETTINGS bullet point Select OPTIONS bullet point Click on DELETE.
Mozilla Firefox: Same method as in Clear History making sure FORM & SEARCH HISTORY is selected.
Google Chrome: Same method as in Clear History making sure CLEAR SAVED FORM DATA is selected.
Opera: Same method as in Clear History making sure CLEAR ALL WAND PASSWORDS is selected.
Apple Safari: Click on SAFARI Menu bullet point Navigate to AUTOFILL section bullet point Click on EDIT button next to ‘Other forms’ bullet point Click on REMOVE ALL.
 
5. Check your E-MAIL SETTINGS

If an abuser has access to your e-mail account, he may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password he will not be able to guess.

If you contact us via e-mail, you could take the following precautions:
bullet point Go to your SENT E-MAILS folder.
bullet point Delete the email.
bullet point Go to your DELETED FILES or TRASH folder and find the email.
bullet point Delete from here.

bullet point If you started an email but didn't finish it, it might be in your DRAFTS folder. If you reply to any email, the original message will probably be in the body of the message - print and delete the email if you don't want anyone to see your original message.

bullet point When you delete an item in any email program (Outlook Express, Outlook, Thunderbird etc.) it does not really delete the item - it moves the item to a folder called DELETED ITEMS. You have to delete the items in Deleted Items separately.
bullet point Right-click on items within the DELETED ITEMS folder to delete individual items.This will permanently delete any record of an email you have sent us.

 
 
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