If you are afraid that an abusive spouse, partner, or family member may be monitoring your computer or phone use, please review the information below.
If you need to leave our site immediately, click the orange Quick Exit button that appears on the bottom left corner of every page on our website. This will point your browser to the pet website www.dogperday.com.
Check out our 5 Tips for Hiding Your Internet Search History to learn about private browsing, clearing your search history and search suggestions, and using a safe computer.
In addition to the above, be aware that even though you can delete the history of the sites you have visited, there are tools that individuals can use to retrieve it. There are also software apps that users can install on your computer to monitor the websites you visit, steal your usernames and passwords, and access your email or other sensitive information.
Use Email Carefully
To protect your email, open an email account that your abuser doesn’t know about on a safe computer. Use that account for any sensitive communications or safety planning. Continue using your regular email account you think is being monitored for non-critical emails to maintain appearances.
Protect Your Passwords
When you create your private email account or any other account that you want to keep private from your abuser, avoid using easy-to-guess usernames or passwords, including any personally identifiable information. Do not save your passwords on your computer or phone, and do not write them down where your abuser could see them.
Take Care with Cell Phones
Do your best to be as safe on your phone as you are on your computer, but keep in mind that unlike a home computer, your phone can be used to track your location in real time. Your abuser could also potentially access your call and text history.If you feel your phone may be monitored, the safest thing to do is buy a pay-as-you-go phone that you keep in a safe place, or to use a phone in a safe place, such as at work, at a friend’s home, or at a shelter.
Use Social Media Wisely
Once you post something on social media, it’s out of your control. Protect your personal information, such as:
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Physical addresses
- Birth date
- Birth location
- Current city
- Schools you attended
- Your employer
This information, as well as photos posted online, can give an abuser plenty of ways to locate and monitor you. Ask your friends and family to avoid posting anything personal about you on social media and ask them not to post photos of you or tag you in photos or posts.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. For more help, call us at 1-800-572-2278.
Stay safe, and know that support is available!