Internet Safety

Read this first: Email is not a safe way to talk to someone about the abuse in your life, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

• There are hundreds of ways to record everything you do on the computer and what you access on the Internet.
• If you think your activities are being monitored, they probably are. Use a computer at a public library or a computer lab to access resources and information. Any indication of leaving your situation could put you in danger.
• It is not possible to delete or clear all computer "footprints". Erasing or deleting files could also alert your abuser and possibly increase your danger.
• Do not let your computer save your passwords.
• Spyware can be installed easily and is hard to detect. Every key stroke or web page viewed is recorded and seen by your abuser.

Quick Tips

• If you receive harassing emails, save them as evidence.
• Use a web-based email service like Yahoo or Hotmail.
• Choose passwords that are not easy to guess and change passwords often.
• Keep your files on a removable disk and put passwords on them to deter access.

Your computer use can be monitored in a variety of ways, and may be impossible to erase or conceal. If you are in danger, use the Escape button to leave this website. Find a safer computer, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.