Erase Your Steps
If you have accessed this information because you are in an abusive relationship, please consider your safety. Abusers often monitor your online activity just like they monitor your other activity.
You should be aware that abusers can easily monitor computer use. Even if you delete your history, “spyware” is available to track every site you visit and everything you type. If you think your computer activity might be monitored, it may be best to use a computer at a library or friend’s place to search information or send email related to your exit plan.
Please note that there is a risk involved in removing data from your computer Removing cookies may clear saved passwords for membership sites or online banking, which may alert your partner that you have removed inoformation. Also, your partner may notice that the address history on the PC has been cleared, and this may raise suspicion.
While keeping this in mind, you might decide to:
Clear Your Browsing Data
Click here to find out how.
Clear your Toolbar History
Toolbars such as Google, AOL and Yahoo also record the search words you have typed into the search box. To remove all the search words you have typed in, check the individual instructions for your toolbar. For example, for the Google toolbar all you need to do is click on the Google icon, and choose “Clear Search History.”
Clear your Email
Toolbars such as Google, AOL and Yahoo also record the search words you have typed into the search box. To remove all the search words you have typed in, check the individual instructions for your toolbar. For example, for the Google toolbar all you need to do is click on the Google icon, and choose “Clear Search History.”aReading your emails is also a way your partner can monitor what you are doing.
If you do not use a secure password to log on to your computer, someone else will be able to access your email account.
Any email you have already sent will normally be saved in the folder marked sent items. Go to sent items and delete emails you don’t want a person to see.
Sometimes an unfinished email will be saved in the folder marked drafts. Go to the drafts folder to delete it.
If you reply to any email, the original message will probably be in the body of the message – delete the email if you don’t want anyone to see your original message.
Remember to empty your Deleted Items folder as all of your deleted items are stored there until you empty the folder and remove them completely.
If you have a shared email account or your partner has access to your login or password details, you may wish to set up a new email account that you can keep private. Use a provider like Hotmail or Yahoo for an account you can access from anywhere. Use a name that is not recognizable as you.
Please note: If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing e-mail messages, you can print them and save them as evidence.