Safe Internet Use

How to make sure that an abuser cannot discover your internet activities:

1. Clear your HISTORY (or CACHE) file (click here for instructions). 2. Make sure that INLINE AUTO COMPLETE is not on (click here for instructions). 3. Check your TOOLBARS (click here for instructions). 4. Check your E-MAIL settings (click here for instructions).

Abusive E-mails

If an abuser 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.

Instructions

Clear your HISTORY (or CACHE) file

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 Firefox/Netscape AOL Netscape Opera To find out which type of browser you are using: Click on HELP on the toolbar at the top of the browser screen. A drop down menu will appear. The last entry will say 'ABOUT INTERNET EXPLORER', 'ABOUT MOZILLA FIREFOX', or something similar. The entry refers to which browser type you are using - you should then refer to the relevant instructions below. INTERNET EXPLORER: Pull down TOOLS menu. Select INTERNET OPTIONS. Select the GENERAL tab. Click on DELETE COOKIES and then OK and APPLY. Click on DELETE FILES, select DELETE ALL OFFLINE CONTENT by ticking it, and select OK. Click on CLEAR HISTORY and then OK and APPLY. Check that all history of your visited pages has been deleted by clicking the HISTORY icon. Whilst doing this, also click on the VIEW button. Click on all of the options to make sure that none of the pages is displayed. If the steps above haven't cleared the history: Click on the HISTORY icon again. A list of all visited pages will be displayed. You can delete them one by one by right clicking them, and then selecting DELETE. MOZILLA FIREFOX: Click on TOOLS. Select CLEAR PRIVATE DATA. Tick all the boxes (except for the 'Ask me before clearing private data' one - untick it if it is ticked). Click on CLEAR PRIVATE DATA NOW button. FIREFOX/NETSCAPE (older version): Click on TOOLS/OPTIONS. Click on PRIVACY. Click the CLEAR button next to Cache and Saved Form Information. AOL: Pull down MEMBERS menu. Select PREFERENCES. Click on www icon. Select ADVANCED, PURGE CACHE. NETSCAPE: Pull down the EDIT menu. Select PREFERENCES. Click on NAVIGATOR and choose CLEAR HISTORY. Click on ADVANCED then select CACHE - click on CLEAR DISK CACHE. NETSCAPE (older version): Pull down OPTIONS menu. Select NETWORK OPTIONS. Select CACHE - click on CLEAR DISK CACHE. OPERA: Click on TOOLS. Click on PREFERENCES. Click on the ADVANCED tab. Click on the HISTORY section on the left-hand side. Click the two CLEAR buttons and the EMPTY NOW button.

Make sure that INLINE AUTO COMPLETE is not on (for Internet Explorer users)

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 Internet Explorer: Click on the TOOLS icon at the top. Select INTERNET OPTIONS. Either: -Select the ADVANCED tab - about halfway down, there is a USE AUTOCOMPLETE box that can be unchecked or -At the top of the window, click on the CONTENT tab, select AUTOCOMPLETE and finally, CLEAR FORMS.

Check your TOOLBARS

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".

Check yout 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: Go to your SENT E-MAILS folder. Delete the email. Go to your DELETED FILES or TRASH folder and find the email. Delete from here. 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. 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. 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.