Computer and Cellphone Safety
A Word of Caution: Someone may be tracking your computer or cellphone activity.
If you are in an abusive relationship, visiting this site may put you at risk. Also a smart cellphone, which has apps and access to the internet, must be treated as a computer when it comes to your safety. Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself:
E-mail: If your abuser has access to your computer, he or she may be able to read your incoming and outgoing e-mail. Make sure you select a password that no one else can guess, and remember that deleted e-mail may still be on your computer in a folder called "Trash" or "Deleted Mail". To remove items from these folders, select the "Empty Deleted Items" or "Empty Trash" option, which is often found on the "Edit" menu.
Web Browser: The sites you visit on the Internet are automatically saved in a "History" file on your PC that can be accessed by anyone. To remove pages from your history, perform the following steps (remember that EACH time you visit this site, you must repeat these steps):
- Internet Explorer users: Click on "Tools" in your top menu, then "Internet Options". Click the buttons labeled "Clear History" or "Delete History". Also Click "Delete Files" under "Temporary Internet Files".
- Netscape users: Click on "Edit" in your top menu, then "Preferences". Under "Navigator" in the "History" section, click on "Clear History" and "Clear Location Bar".
- Google Chrome users: On your computer, open Chrome, At the top right, click "More", Click "History", On the left, click "Delete browsing data", Select how much history you want to delete. To delete everything, click "All time", Check the boxes for the info you want Chrome to delete, including Browsing history, then click "Delete data".
- To find the steps to clear history on any other browser search "steps to clear history on <insert your browser name>", example "steps to clear history on Microsoft Edge"
There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do while on the computer and on the Internet.
If you are in danger, please try to use a safe computer or cellphone that your abuser does not have access to including 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 Café.
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 ways to monitor.
Computers can provide a lot of information about what you look at on the Internet, the e-mails you send, and other activities. It is not possible to delete or clear all computer "footprints".
Email is not a safe or confidential way to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life, please call us instead 1-800-265-0415 or 406-827-3745. Traditional "corded" phones are more private than cell phones or cordless phones.
Location Tracking Safety
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
Do you feel like your abuser is showing up where you are for no reason?
Does your abuser seem to know every place you have been?
Your abuser may be tracking your every move. Global Position Systems (GPS) can be placed on your car and the newer cell phones have GPS built into them.
If you suspect that your abuser has installed a GPS tracking system on your car take your car to the police or a mechanic to have your car inspected. If a GPS system is found have the mechanic document where it was found and give the device to the police. The device is usually located in one of four places on your car.
Under the Hood
Under Front Bumper
Under Back Bumper
Underneath the seat and/or dashboard
If your vehicle is equipped with On-Star then your vehicle has a GPS system installed on it. Be sure to contact On-Star and let them know your situation and to not give out any information to any one regarding your vehicle. It is also be important to let them know that you are the only person allowed to call to have your doors unlocked.
Cellphone and Computer laptop GPS Tracking
Check with the cell phone service provider to see if your phone has a GPS system. This is a great security device. But, if your abuser gave you the cell phone or it is a cell phone you had during your relationship - get a new phone with a new number.
If your iphone or android phone is either off or in airplane mode you location cannot be tracked. The minute you turn it on location tracking will start.
iPhone turn off location tracking
To stop sharing your location with all apps and services, for even a short period of time, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and turn off location sharing. This stops all apps on your device, such as Maps, from using your location.
Android Phone turn off location tracking
Go to your phone's privacy settings and disable the "Frequent Locations" feature, which tracks where you are and how long you stay there. You can also disable location services entirely.
If you suspect that you already have a suspicious hidden app on your Android phone, here's what you can do to find them:
- Open the App Drawer by pressing and holding on the empty spot on your home screen
- Then click Settings
- In the Hide Apps section, you will find all hidden apps
- If there are any unfamiliar apps, uninstall them immediately
If you're an iPhone user, try this:
- Open the Apple Store and click on your profile on the top left part of the screen
- Then go to Purchased and My Purchases
- Here you'll find the list of all apps you've installed. If anything doesn't look familiar, we suggest deleting them promptly
Many laptop computers come with built-in location tracking features. You would need to go into the settings to turn it off. Search the internet to figure out how to turn your location off.
