Important Information about Hiding Your Internet Tracks from Your Abuser If you are in an abusive relationship and your abuser has access to your computer, it is important that you take precautionary steps to hide your internet activities. The following steps may not prevent your abuser from discovering your online activities. Even if you follow the directions below your abuser may still be able to track down your internet history. The information below will not completely hide your internet tracks. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. If you know that your abuser has access to the computer that you use, the best safety measure to take is to use another computer. Access a computer at a friend’s house or at the library. Use any computer that your abuser will not have access to. 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 select a password he or she will not be able to guess. If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, you should print them and save them as evidence of the abuse. Additionally, the messages may constitute a federal offense. For more information on this issue, contact your local United States Attorney’s Office. 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: Pulldown Edit menu, select Preferences. Click on Navigator on choose ‘Clear History’. Click on Advanced then select Cache. Click on “Clear Disk Cache”. On older versions of Netscape: Pulldown Options menu. Select Network Options, Select Cache. Click on “Clear Disk Cache” or “Expire Now.” Internet Explorer: Pulldown 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: Pulldown Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache. Also, be sure that the “Use Inline Autocomplete” box is NOT checked. This function will complete a partial web address when you type a location in the address bar at the top of the browser. If you are using Internet Explorer, this box can be found on the MS Internet Explorer Page by clicking on the “View” icon at the top, then “Internet Options”, and then the “Advanced” tab. About halfway down there is a “Use Autocomplete” box that can be checked and unchecked by clicking on it. For more information go to: http://www.ndvh.org/safety.html * Please note: Even if you take these cautionary steps, your abuser may be able to discover your online activities. To ensure that your online activities are not discovered by your abuser, it is imperative to use a computer that your abuser will not have access to.