Department of Justice

Internet Warning!

How an abuser can discover your Internet activities

E-Mail: If an abuser has access to your e-mail 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 e-mail messages, print them and save them as evidence of this abuse.

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 web brower's settings.

Netscape:

  1. Pull down Edit menu, select Preferences.
  2. Click on Navigator and choose 'Clear History.'
  3. Click on Advanced, then select Cache.
  4. Click on "Clear Disk Cache."

On older versions of Netscape:

  1. Pulldown Options menu.
  2. Select Network Preferences;
  3. Select Cache.
  4. Click on "Clear Disk Cache."

Internet Explorer:

  1. Pull down Tool menu, select Internet Options.
  2. On General page, under Temporary Internet Files, click on "Delete Files."
  3. Under History, click on "Clear History."

AOL:

  1. Pull down Members menu, select Preferences.
  2. Click on WWW icon. Then select "Advanced."
  3. Purge Cache.

Please note: This information may not completely hide your tracks. Many browser types have features that display recently visited sites. The safest way to search for information on the Internet if you are in danger is at a local library, a friend's house, or at work if possible.