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Safety on the Internet and Domestic
Violence
Internet Safety
American Bar Association
Commission on Domestic Violence
WARNING:
Taking all of the actions on this page may not prevent
an abuser from discovering your email and internet activity.
The safest way to find information on the internet is
to go to a safer computer. Suggestions are: a local
library, a friend's house or your workplace. Other safety
suggestions: change your password often, do not pick
obvious words or numbers for your password, and pick
a combination of letters and numbers for your password.
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 choose a password he or she will not be able to
guess. If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing
email messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence
of this 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".
Internet Explorer:
Pull down Tools menu, select Internet Options. On General
page, under Temporary Internet Files, click on "Delete
Files." If asked, check the box to delete all offline
content. Still within the Temporary Internet Files section,
click on Settings. (This next step may make it harder
to navigate pages where you'd like your information
to be remembered, but these remaining cookies do show
website pages you have visited. Therefore, use your
own judgment as to whether or not to take this next
step). Click on "View Files." Manually highlight
all the files (cookies) shown, then hit Delete. Close
that window, then on General page under History section,
click on "Clear History."
AOL:
Pulldown Members menu, select Preferences. Click on
WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache.
Additionally, a victim needs to make sure
that the "Use Inline Autocomplete" box is
NOT checked. This function will complete a partial web
address while typing 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 "Tools" at the top of the screen,
then "Internet Options," and then the "Advanced"
tab. About halfway down there is a "Use inline
AutoComplete" box that can be checked and unchecked
by clicking on it. Uncheck the box to disable the feature
that automatically completes an internet address when
you start typing in the internet address box.
* This information may not completely hide your tracks.
Many browser types have features that display recently
visited sites. The safest way to find information on
the internet, would be at a local library, a friend's
house, or at work.
If
the legal or judicial system failed to protect you or
a family member
from abuse Please Contact:
Amnesty
International & The
United Nations
Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224
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