An abuser may be able to discover what sites you have visited on the Internet or to read your email. Please read the following suggestions to help reduce this risk when using the Internet.
Please note – this advice may not completely hide your tracks: the safest way to find information on the Internet is to use the facilities at your local library, an Internet café, a friend's house, or at work.
History or cache
The 'history' in your computer's web browser shows a list of sites on the Internet that have recently been visited. The 'cache' is your computer's automatic store of all the web pages and graphics that have been looked at. If an abuser knows how to access this information, they will be able to see what you have been looking at on the Internet.
You can clear your history or empty your cache file in your browser's settings by following these instructions:
Internet Explorer
- Go to 'Tools' menu
- Select 'Delete Browsing History'
- click on 'Delete All'
- You can also prevent your browsing being recorded – click Tools and select 'InPrivate Browsing'
Firefox
- Go to 'Tools' menu
- Select 'Clear Recent History'
- You can also prevent your browsing being recorded – click Tools and select 'Start Private Browsing'
Chrome
To prevent your browing history from being recorded, or delete pages from your history:
- Click the spanner icon and select New Incognito Window, or History > Edit
- You can see more options including cookies by pressing Control+Shift+Delete together.
Safari
- Go to the 'Safari' menu
- Select 'Empty Cache'
or hold down the Option and Command keys and press E.
Email
If an abuser has access to your computer, they may be able to read your email – both the messages you send and those you receive. If your email account is password-protected, make sure you choose a password that can't be easily guessed. Do not write your password down.
If you are using a web-based email service (such as Hotmail), do not select the option to remember your username or password. If available, tick the box that says you are using a public computer instead.
If you are sent threatening email messages by an abuser, print and save them – they may be used as evidence.
Cookies
A cookie refers to a text file which is stored on a user's hard drive and is used to identify that user when they revisit a website. Find out more about cookies and how you can opt out of using them:
East Sussex County Council