WARNING!

Are you worried about someone knowing that you have visited this website? Please take a few minutes to read the warning below and take the steps that are necessary to increase your safety when using the Internet and the Family Crisis Services website. Many of your actions on any computer, both on the Internet and otherwise, are stored and can be retreieved with the right software. This software is available from many sources. If you are in danger, please try to use a computer that someone abusive does not have direct access, or even remote (hacking) access to. It might be safer to use a computer in a public library, at a community technology center, at a trusted friend's house, or an Internet Cafe. If you think your 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 activities, anyone can do it and there are many methods of monitoring. Computers can provide a lot of information about what you look at on the Internet, the emails you send, and other activities, It is not possible to delete or clear all computer "footprints". If you think you may be monitored on your home computer, you might consider no home Internet use or "safer" Internet surfing. Example: If you are planning to flee to California, don't look at classified ads for jobs and apartments, bus tickets, etc for California on a home computer or any computer an abuser has physical or remote access to. Use a safer computer or research an escape plan. If you bookmark this or any other site about domestic violence, your abuser can find out that you have been getting information on domestic violence. If you can, clear all cache/history files from your web browser. You may want to access this site from somewhere other than home. See instructions below for eliminating traces to browsing the internet for domestic violence web pages. 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. Cache file / History / Bookmarks: If an abuser knows how to read your computer's cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), history (sites you have been to), or cookies 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: Internet Explorer: Pull down the 'Tools' menu (older version may be the 'View' menu), select 'Internet Options.' On the 'General' tab (should be the first one), under 'Temporary Internet Files' , click on 'Delete Cookies' and click on 'Delete Files' (make sure you check 'Delete all offline content'). Under History click on 'Clear History.' Netscape Navigator: Pull down the 'Edit' menu, select 'Preferences.' Click on Navigator and choose 'Clear History.' Click on 'Advanced' and then select Cache. Click on 'Clear Disk Cache.' Older versions of Netscape Navigator: Pull down the 'Options' menu. Select 'Network Options', select 'Cache.' Click 'Clear Disk Cache.' AOL: Pull down the 'Members' menu, select 'Preferences.' Click on the 'WWW' icon. Select 'Advanced.' Select 'Purge Cache.' One additional tip When you clear the cache and the history list, you erase not only the information on where you've been, but any other information that had been previously stored there. So, if your partner checks and sees that the cache and the history list have been completely emptied, he'll not only know that you know how to do this, but he might guess that you're trying to hide something. One possible way to avoid suspicion is to clear the cache and history once you're done looking at information you don't want your partner to know about. After they're cleared, spend some time visiting sites that you think your partner wouldn't object to. This way, the cache and history list start to get filled up and your partner might be less likely to notice that old information is missing. NOTE: This information may not completely hide your tracks. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. Additionally, there is a lot of low-level software that can 'dig-up' where you have been on the Internet as well as what you have done on your computer. The safest way to find information on the Internet, would be at a local library, a friend's house, or at work.

If you are concerned for yourself or for someone you care about, you can call our 24Hour Hotline at 207.874.1973 (Portland area), or 800.537.6066 to speak with an advocate, or e-mail us at FamilyCrisis@FamilyCrisis.org.