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Using the Internet More Safely
Using the Internet More Safely
We like to say it’s important to practice “Safe Surfing”! If you are using a computer, tablet or smartphone to learn more about domestic violence and help, you should be aware that your searches and browsing history can be monitored by others. If that concerns you, here are important steps you should consider taking.
Use Someone Else’s Devices
The safest way to learn about domestic violence and ways to get help is by using someone else’s computer, tablet or smartphone, such as those available at a workplace, public place, or belonging to friends and family and away from your abuser or household. This decreases the likelihood that an abuser would discover your interest in finding resources and help.
“Leave Site” Button
If you are using personal devices to visit DomesticShelters.org, clicking on the “Leave Site” button in the upper right-hand corner will redirect you to weather.com, in the event you’re surprised by someone and need to quickly change what you’re viewing. On mobile the "Leave Site" button is the "X" icon located at the top of the website.
Delete Search History
If you conduct searches using Google, Yahoo, Bing or other search engines, it is important to know that these services learn your search tendencies and make future suggestions based on your prior queries. Thus, someone using the same computer and browser may come to realize what types of information you have been seeking. Learn how to clear your search history after each session at Google, Yahoo and Bing.
Delete Browsing History
The websites you visit are tracked by your browser, as well, unless you manually turn off the tracking or you clear your browsing history; learn how to turn off the tracking or clear your browsing history at Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Toolbar.
Delete Cookies
Most websites drop “cookies” into your computer; they are small files that hold a modest amount of data that help tailor the use of a website during future visits, such as pre-populating fields to save you time. Here you can learn how to delete cookies on your computer.
Keeping Your Smartphone Safe
Your smartphone is essentially the same thing as your computer. This article contains excellent ideas that prevent others from accessing information on your smartphone. You should also consider deleting browsing history, cookies and search history from your phone.
Keeping Your Tablet Safe
If you happen to have a tablet, you’ll want to take similar steps with the settings and browser, as have been recommended above. Here is information on how to do so on an iPad, Kindle, Galaxy Note, Surface and Google Nexus.
Keeping Your Email and Social Media Accounts Safe
The website womenslaw.org has excellent advice to help you manage your email activity and accounts, as well as your social media activities, and improve your personal security.
The following guidelines are used by DomesticShelters.org to determine which books we will make available in our Recommended Books section. If you are an author and would like us to consider your book for our site, please review the guidelines carefully before submitting. To submit a book, email us at info@domesticshelters.org and include a PDF copy of the book.
- Your book must be published by a traditional publisher, not self-published.
- The book must be professionally written, researched, fact-checked, edited and copyedited.
- The book must meet book publishing industry standards for formatting, structure and presentation.
- The writing must exhibit expert understanding of domestic violence or related topics.
- The author is ideally widely recognized for their expertise on the topic presented.
- The book must have an ISBN 10.
- The book must be available through amazon.com.
- You must submit a PDF version of the book so that it can be easily reviewed.
While we receive many book submissions and reserve the right to determine which books will become available on DomesticShelters.org, we’re nonetheless greatly appreciative of all the good work created by the many people working to help survivors and end domestic violence.
