HOW AN ABUSER CAN DISCOVER YOUR INTERNET ACTIVITIES

Please take a few minutes to read the warning below and to take steps to increase your safety when using the internet and the Women’s Aid Federation
Northern Ireland website.

E-mail:
If an abuser has access to your email account, they may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password that an abuser will not be able to guess.

If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing e-mail messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence of this abuse. The messages may constitute an offence.

History / cache file:
If an abuser knows how to read your computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), they 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: Pull down 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: Pull down Options menu. Select Network Options, Select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache".

• Internet Explorer 6 pull down Tools  menu, select Internet Options. On General page, under Temporary Internet Files , click on "Delete Files". Under History click on "Clear History."

• On older versions of Internet Explorer: Pull down View menu, select Internet Options. On General page, under Temporary Internet Files , click on "Delete Files". Under History click on "Clear History."

• AOL: Pull down Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache.

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.