Internet Safety
If you think your computer activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every move (ie. using Spyware, keystroke loggers)
Please try using a safe computer that someone abusive doesn't have direct or remote (hacking) access to.
- If you are being monitored, don't suddenly delete your entire Internet history if you normally don't. It's impossible to delete or clear all the “footprints" of your computer or online activities.
- If you are monitored on your home computer, be careful in how you use it since the abuser might become suspicious. Use the monitored computer for viewing the weather or recipes. Use a safer computer to research an escape plan, finding new jobs or apartments, etc.
- Email and Text Messaging are not safe or confidential ways to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life. If possible, please call a hotline instead. If you use email or texting, please use a safe computer and an account your abuser does not know about.
- Computers can store a lot of private information about what you look at online (ex: emails, banking, sites you have visited, etc). Go to a public library, a trusted friend’s house, or an Internet Café instead.
If you are in danger, please:
- Call 911
- Call your local hotline at 888-774-2900
- Call a national hotline:
- Be aware that you may not be able to reach 911 using an Internet phone or Internet-based phone service, so be prepared to use another phone to call 911.
- Contact your local domestic violence agency to learn about free cell phone donation programs.