Internet Safety

Are you worried about someone knowing you have visited this website? 

Computers store all the documents you work on and the addresses of all the websites you visit on the internet. It’s impossible to completely delete this information.  It is fairly easy for someone with even just a little computer know-how to access your computer files and history. 

If you are worried someone is monitoring your online activities, here are some tips to help you stay safe online:

• Avoid using email, chats, messaging – or phone texting – to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life. Please call our hotline at 1.800.863.9909 instead. Avoid using your home computer for anything that might put you in danger or raise suspicion.  
• If you want to look up important information, use a safe computer – at a library, a friend’s house, a community college – one you’re sure your abuser does not have access to. If you’re planning to leave and go to your sister’s home in Vermont, for instance, don’t use your home computer to check the bus schedule.

• If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing e-mail messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence of the abuse. The messages may constitute a criminal offense.

• If you’re on MySpace, Facebook, or other social networking sites, think about removing your profile if you think your abuser will stalk or harass you that way.  At least change your passwords and privacy settings.
• By all means, clear your history and empty your cache, but remember…you can never completely hide your tracks, so use a safe computer – or no computer – whenever possible. 

For more information on this topic, visit MCEDV’s information about being safe using email and the world wide web and WiredSafety.