Internet SafetyPlease note that computer use can be monitored by an abuser, and there are ways for an abuser to access emails and to find out what sites you have visited on the Internet. It’s impossible to completely clear all data related to your computer activity.

If you’re in danger, please use a computer that the abuser doesn’t access, such as a public terminal at a library, coffee shop, or community center.

Here are some tips for internet safety.

Deleting & Clearing Your Browser History

Google Chrome

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click settings (3 dots) in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Click “Delete browsing data” on the menu. (opens new tab)
  4. Select the “Time Range” you want to delete
  5. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to delete and click “Delete Data.”

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click settings (3 dots) in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. On desktop, click “Delete browsing data” on the menu. (opens new tab)
  4. On Mobile phone, click “Privacy & Security”, then click “Delete browsing data”
  5. Select the “Time Range” you want to delete
  6. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to delete and click “Clear Data.”
  7. You can also set the browser to “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser”

Safari on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Delete history, cache and cookies

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari.
  2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.n iPhone displaying the Safari settings. At the bottom of the Privacy & Security section, there is a Clear History and Website Data button.

Clearing your history, cookies and browsing data from Safari won’t change your AutoFill information.

When there’s no history or website data to be cleared, the button to clear it will turn grey. The button may also be grey if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time.

To visit sites without leaving a history, turn Private Browsing on.

Apple Safari Desktop

  1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose History.
  2. Select “Clear History” form the drop-down menu.
  3. Choose how far back you want to delete your history.
  4. Then, click the “Clear History” button.

Internet Explorer (old version)

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click tools in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Select “Internet Options” from the drop-down menu.
  4. On the “General” tab, in the Browsing history section, click the “Delete” button.
  5. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to clear and click “Delete.”

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click tools in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Select “Privacy & Security” from the menu on the left hand side.
  4. Scroll down the History Section, click the “Clear History” button.
  5. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to clear and click “Clear Now.”

Protect Yourself Online

  1. If you’re not sure whether an abuser has access to your email account, be cautious and avoid sending emails you wouldn’t want them to see. Reset your password and use 2FA security to verify your account.
  2. Stop using a shared account for private emails.
  3. Some web-based accounts, like Gmail or Yahoo, remain logged in after the browser is closed. Log out of your account before closing the browser window.
  4. If your computer has your email address and password saved, anyone with access to your computer can read your email. When you delete your browser history, click the option to delete “passwords.”
  5. If you use a computer-based email program, like Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird or Apple Mail, anyone with access to your computer can read your email. Create a web-based email account, like Gmail, for sending and receiving private emails.
  6. If the abuser sends you an email, DO NOT OPEN an attachment because it could be an attempt to install spyware on your computer to track your email messages, activity and even keystrokes.
  7. Turn off the “AutoComplete” function on your computer. Most computers have “AutoComplete,” which stores information you’ve typed in your computer. For example, when you go to type something into a search engine, a pop-up box will appear and list the things you’ve searched for in the past. It may predict the email address as an abuser tries to access your account. You may also see this pop-up box when entering your credit card information or your address into an online form.

Cellphone Safety & Phone Tracking

  1. GPS location tracking on your phone can leave you vulnerable to being stalked by an abuser. Turn off your GPS location tracking by going into settings. Click privacy or location to turn off tracking.
  2. Setup a private passcode to access your phone.
  3. Some apps will allow you to opt out of gathering your location information. Check your app and account privacy settings.
  4. Logout of personal apps after use, like your bank account, Facebook, and email.
  5. Run an anti-virus or spyware program which scan regularly on your device.
  6. Check your bill for unusual activity.
  7. Turn off your Bluetooth when it’s not in use.

Social Media Safety

  1. Keep your privacy settings high in order to avoid an abuser using your page to gather information about your location. Periodically, check your privacy settings since platform updates can alter the settings leaving you vulnerable.
  2. Use a strong password that your abuser doesn’t know. Change associated email address and password bi-monthly to avoid an abuser hacking your account.
  3. Limit the amount of identifying information you use, like your birth date, address, full name, etc. Use a nickname or middle name for your accounts.
  4. Post pictures and status updates after the fact. Posting in real-time may reveal your current location or your make your home or car venerable to break in. Turn off your location in your phone’s setting to avoid geotagging your posts.
  5. Avoid “Checking In” to your location on a social media.
  6. Before closing the browser, logout of your account.

Deleting & Clearing Your Browser History

Google Chrome

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click settings (3 dots) in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Click “Delete browsing data” on the menu. (opens new tab)
  4. Select the “Time Range” you want to delete
  5. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to delete and click “Delete Data.”

Microsoft Edge

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click settings (3 dots) in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. On desktop, click “Delete browsing data” on the menu. (opens new tab)
  4. On Mobile phone, click “Privacy & Security”, then click “Delete browsing data”
  5. Select the “Time Range” you want to delete
  6. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to delete and click “Clear Data.”
  7. You can also set the browser to “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser”

Safari on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Delete history, cache and cookies

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Safari.
  2. Tap Clear History and Website Data.n iPhone displaying the Safari settings. At the bottom of the Privacy & Security section, there is a Clear History and Website Data button.

Clearing your history, cookies and browsing data from Safari won’t change your AutoFill information.

When there’s no history or website data to be cleared, the button to clear it will turn grey. The button may also be grey if you have web content restrictions set up under Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time.

To visit sites without leaving a history, turn Private Browsing on.

Apple Safari Desktop

  1. In the Safari app on your Mac, choose History.
  2. Select “Clear History” form the drop-down menu.
  3. Choose how far back you want to delete your history.
  4. Then, click the “Clear History” button.

Internet Explorer (old version)

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click tools in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Select “Internet Options” from the drop-down menu.
  4. On the “General” tab, in the Browsing history section, click the “Delete” button.
  5. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to clear and click “Delete.”

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Open browser window.
  2. Click tools in the upper right-hand corner.
  3. Select “Privacy & Security” from the menu on the left hand side.
  4. Scroll down the History Section, click the “Clear History” button.
  5. Check the boxes of the data you’d like to clear and click “Clear Now.”

Protect Yourself Online

  1. If you’re not sure whether an abuser has access to your email account, be cautious and avoid sending emails you wouldn’t want them to see. Reset your password and use 2FA security to verify your account.
  2. Stop using a shared account for private emails.
  3. Some web-based accounts, like Gmail or Yahoo, remain logged in after the browser is closed. Log out of your account before closing the browser window.
  4. If your computer has your email address and password saved, anyone with access to your computer can read your email. When you delete your browser history, click the option to delete “passwords.”
  5. If you use a computer-based email program, like Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird or Apple Mail, anyone with access to your computer can read your email. Create a web-based email account, like Gmail, for sending and receiving private emails.
  6. If the abuser sends you an email, DO NOT OPEN an attachment because it could be an attempt to install spyware on your computer to track your email messages, activity and even keystrokes.
  7. Turn off the “AutoComplete” function on your computer. Most computers have “AutoComplete,” which stores information you’ve typed in your computer. For example, when you go to type something into a search engine, a pop-up box will appear and list the things you’ve searched for in the past. It may predict the email address as an abuser tries to access your account. You may also see this pop-up box when entering your credit card information or your address into an online form.

Cellphone Safety & Phone Tracking

  1. GPS location tracking on your phone can leave you vulnerable to being stalked by an abuser. Turn off your GPS location tracking by going into settings. Click privacy or location to turn off tracking.
  2. Setup a private passcode to access your phone.
  3. Some apps will allow you to opt out of gathering your location information. Check your app and account privacy settings.
  4. Logout of personal apps after use, like your bank account, Facebook, and email.
  5. Run an anti-virus or spyware program which scan regularly on your device.
  6. Check your bill for unusual activity.
  7. Turn off your Bluetooth when it’s not in use.

Social Media Safety

  1. Keep your privacy settings high in order to avoid an abuser using your page to gather information about your location. Periodically, check your privacy settings since platform updates can alter the settings leaving you vulnerable.
  2. Use a strong password that your abuser doesn’t know. Change associated email address and password bi-monthly to avoid an abuser hacking your account.
  3. Limit the amount of identifying information you use, like your birth date, address, full name, etc. Use a nickname or middle name for your accounts.
  4. Post pictures and status updates after the fact. Posting in real-time may reveal your current location or your make your home or car venerable to break in. Turn off your location in your phone’s setting to avoid geotagging your posts.
  5. Avoid “Checking In” to your location on a social media.
  6. Before closing the browser, logout of your account.

Please also read about Safety Planning

For more information, see the online privacy and safety tips from the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).

Safety Net is a project of The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)