INTERNET SAFETY

email: if an abuser has access to your email account, he or she may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. if you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password he or she will not be able to guess.

If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence of this abuse. Additionally, the messages may constitute a federal offense. For more information on this issue, contact your local United States Attorney's Office.

history / cache file: if an abuser knows how to read your computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she 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:
Pulldown 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 Netcape: Pulldown Options menu. Select Network Options, Select Cache. Click on "Clear Disk Cache"

· Internet Explorer:
Pulldown View menu, select Internet Options. On General page, under Temporary Internet Files , click on "Delete Files". Under History click on "Clear History."

· AOL:
Pulldown Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Then select Advanced. Purge Cache.

Additionally, a victim needs to make sure that the "Use Inline Autocomplete" box is NOT checked. This function will complete a partial web address while typing a location in the address bar at the top of the browser.

If you are using Internet Explorer, this box can be found on the MS Internet Explorer Page by clicking on the "View" icon at the top, then "Internet Options", and then the "Advanced" tab. About halfway down there is a "Use Autocomplete" box that can be checked and unchecked by clicking on it.

Contact information:
ABA Commission on Domestic Violence
740 15th Street, NW, 9th Floor
  Washington, DC, 20005-1022    abasvcctr@abanet.org

OTHER INFORMATION:

There is also a folder called “RECENT” that is in some versions of Windows Internet Explorer.  This folder stores your recently saved documents and some websites you have visited.  One way to delete all these files is below.  If these files aren’t deleted, anyone can click on any of the files in the RECENT folder and open the site or document.  

Instructions: 

1. At the bottom left corner of the screen, RIGHT click on  “START” (it also has the windows logo).
2. A menu will appear, you need to click on  SEARCH
3. In the box “search for files or folders named” you will need to type RECENT
4. In the box “Look In” you will need to make sure it says C:\.  It may say something like C:\windows\start, or something similar – just put your cursor at the last letter and hit the backspace key until you see only C:\
5. Click on “Search Now”
6. If you have a RECENT folder, the Icon should appear on the right that looks like a folder.  There may be other icons there, you only need the one that looks like a folder that is called RECENT.
7. If the Icon appears, click on it to open it, and delete everything in the folder (Do not delete the folder, just the contents).

* The information provided on this page 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.

Contact information:
ABA Commission on Domestic Violence
740 15th Street, NW, 9th Floor
  Washington, DC, 20005-1022    abasvcctr@abanet.org

For further information on Domestic Violence, please visit the following websites:

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org

North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.nccadv.org

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