Internet/Computer Safety

Caution:

  • There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything that you do on the computer and on the Internet. If you are in danger, use a safer computer that someone abusive may not have direct access or even remote (hacking) access to.
  • If you think your activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every move. You do not need to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone’s computer and Internet activities–anyone can do it and there are several ways to monitor with programs.
  • It is impossible to delete or clear all the “footprints” of your computer or online activities. If you are being monitored, it may be dangerous to change your computer behaviors such as suddenly deleting your entire Internet history if that is not your regular habit.
  • If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, be careful how you use your computer since an abuser might become suspicious. You many want to keep using the monitored computer for innocuous activities, such as looking up the weather or reading the news. Use a safer computer to research an escape plan, look for new jobs, or apartments, bus tickets, or to seek help.
  • Computers can store a lot of private information about what you look at on the Internet, the emails and instant messages you send, internet-based phone and IP-TTY calls you make, online purchases and banking and many other activities.
  • Email and Instant/Text Messaging are not safe or confidential ways to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life. If you use email or instant messaging, please use a safer computer and an account your abuser does not know about.

Please use a safer computer in a public library, at a community technology center, at a trusted friend’s house, or at an internet cafe.

If you are in danger please call our hotline! 540-373-9373 or 1-877-734-7238 (toll free). And remember that corded phones are more private and less interceptable than cordless phones or cell phones.