stay safe while staying connected

Online privacy for survivors

From apps to online searches, email to phone calls and texts, knowing how to stay safe in the digital world can also protect you in the physical world. Haven encourages you to find important information and connect with others online, while following these tips to protect your privacy.

 
 

Technology and safety

For many of us, online technology has become a vital part of everyday life. But tools of digital productivity and connection can also make you vulnerable to an abuser.

Phone safety in domestic violence situations

  • Check your cell phone settings. If you’re using a cell phone provided by the abusive person, consider turning it off when you are not using it. Many phones let you set a “lock” the keys so a phone won’t automatically answer or make a call if it is bumped. When on, check the phone settings; if your phone has optional location services, you may want to switch the location feature off via the phone settings. After calling a domestic violence hotline or other safety resources, always call an unrelated safe number afterward; if your abuser hits re-dial, it will dial that most recent number.

  • Be aware you may not able to reach 911 using an Internet phone or Internet-based phone service. So, you may need to be prepared to use another phone to call 911. You should consider a secret cell phone hidden in an easily accessible location to call 911 if you need to.

  • Use a donated or new cell phone. When making or receiving private calls or arranging escape plans, try not to use a shared or family cell phone because cell phone billing records and phone logs may reveal your plans to an abuser.

  • Contact your local domestic violence program, shelter, or rape crisis center to learn about free 911 cell phone donation programs.

  • Baby monitors can be used to monitor phone conversations.

Internet safety in domestic violence situations

  • If you think your online activities are being monitored, they probably are. Abusive people are often controlling and want to know your every move.

  • You don’t need to be a computer programmer or have special skills to monitor someone’s computer and internet activities – anyone can do it.

  • It might be safer to use a computer in a public library or at a trusted friend’s house.

  • Emails and texts are not safe or confidential ways to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life. If possible, please call the support line instead.

  • Create a new email account. If you suspect that anyone can access your email, consider creating an additional email account on a safer computer. Do not create or check this new email from a computer your abuser can access, in case it is monitored. Use an anonymous name, and account: (example: raincloud@gmail.com, not YourRealName@yahoo.com). Choose free web-based email accounts such as gmail, and do not provide detailed information about yourself.

  • Other safety suggestions: Change your password often, do not pick obvious words or numbers for your password, and make sure to include a combination of letters and numbers for your password.

  • If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, you can print and save them as evidence of this abuse. These messages may also constitute a federal offense.

Erasing your online tracks

Clearing your history/cache file:

  • If an abuser knows how to read your computer’s history of cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she may be able to see information you have viewed on the Internet.

  • You can clear your internet history or empty your cache file in your browser’s settings. But if you are being monitored, it may be dangerous to suddenly change your computer behaviors, such as deleting your entire internet history, if that is not your regular habit. It is not possible to delete or clear all the “footprints” of your computer or online activities.

  • If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, be careful how you use your computer since an abuser might become suspicious. You may want to keep using the monitored computer for everyday activities, like looking up the weather. Use a safer computer to research an escape plan, look for new jobs, apartments, bus tickets or to ask for help.

GPS and other electronic devices in domestic abuse

  • It is possible for an abuser to turn on a GPS system on your car or cell phone in order to monitor your movements.

 
 

For help call Haven’s support line (406-586-4111) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (TTY 1-800-787-3224)