The websites you visit online can be traced – including the one you’re reading right now. Spouses or partners who tend to be controlling or aggressive often check on their partners phones and computers for past activity, and they can often tell when their partner is contemplating leaving or has decided to leave. The threat of violence from a violent or controlling partner goes up when their partner decides to leave.

Do not underestimate the danger. Please be careful and cover your tracks. Tracing websites visited, calls made and emails is easier than you think. We encourage you to regularly erase any record of having visited our site once you are done if your partner is aggressive or controlling in any way.

When you clear the cache and the history list, you erase ALL information that had been previously stored there. A way to avoid suspicion is after clearing the CACHE and HISTORY LIST any time you visit sites like this, and then spend some time visiting sites that are favourites for you or your family. This way, the cache and history list start to get filled up without alerting anyone to the fact that not only are you are erasing your tracks, but that you know how to do so.

How to clear your cache and history depends on which browser you use and what kind of computer you’re on. Please see instructions below for the most common browsers. Some browsers will also allow you to open “incognito” windows where no record of your browing history will be kept.

Alternatively, consider using a public access computer at your local library, internet café, a school, or a friend’s home, a burner phone or workplace.

PC Windows - Google Chrome

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Click on menu “hamburger icon” top right corner

Step 2: Click on “Settings”

Step 3: Click on “Show advanced settings…”

Step 4: Click on “Clear browsing data…”

PC Windows - Internet Explorer

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Select the Tools in the menu bar. Open the Internet Options Dialog Box and select the General Tab.

Step 2: In the Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Files. Check the “Delete all offline content” and click OK.

Step 3: In the History, click Clear History.

Step 4: In Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Cookies and then OK.

Step 5: Click OK to exit the Internet Options Dialog Box.

PC Windows – Mozilla Firefox

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Select the Tools in the menu bar, then select the Options.

Step 2: Click on the “Privacy” Option, with the picture of a padlock.

Step 3: Select the “History” tab. Click on “Clear Browsing History Now”.

Step 4: Select the “Cache” tab. Click on “Clear Cache Now”.

Step 5: Click “OK” to exit the Options dialogue box.

PC Windows – Netscape

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Select the Edit in the menu bar, then select the Preference.

Step 2: Under the Category, select Navigator. Then click Clear History as well as Clear Location Bar.

Step 3: Under Privacy & Security, select Cookies. Then click View Stored Cookies. Lastly, click Remove All Cookies.

Step 4: Under the Category, select Cache under Advanced. First click the Clear Memory Cache followed by the Clear Disk Cache.

PC Windows

(right click the mouse on the Start at the bottom of the menu bar, select Explore)

Step 1: Select Windows in the C drive.

Step 2: Open the Temporary Internet Files Folders. Select all the files inside this folder and delete.

Step 3: Open the History folder (e.g. c:\windows\history\today in Win 98), select all the files inside this folder and delete.

Step 4: Open the Cookies folder (e.g. c:\windows\cookies in Win 98), select all the files inside this folder and delete.

Step 5: Disable the AutoComplete in the windows and/or browser options.

Step 6: Finally, after completed the above deletions, you should also empty the recycle bin.

Mac – Google Chrome

(When opening Browser)

Step 1: Right click on the Google Chrome Icon

Step 2: From the dropdown menu, select “New Incognito Window”

OR

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Click on “Chrome” on the main menu

Step 2: Click on “Clear Browsing Data”

Mac – Safari

(When opening Browser)

Step 1: Right click on the Safari Icon

Step 2: From the dropdown menu, select "New Private Window"

OR

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Go to “history” tab on the main menu.

Step 2: Scroll down to “clear history”.

Mac – Firefox

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Go to “preferences” under the “Firefox” tab in main menu.

Step 2: Click on “Privacy” tab then go to the “Private Data” section on the bottom.

Step 3: Click “Clear Now”.

Mac – Netscape

(Before closing the Browser)

Step 1: Go to “Edit” menu and select “Preferences”.

Step 2: Select “Navigator” under the “Category” listing.

Step 3: Select “Clear History” in the “History” area.

Step 4: Click “OK” to erase history.

Telephone Safety

When you make any phone call, your phone and phone company keep a record of the numbers you have called. If you call any organization that assists people in danger from their partners, it is important that you be careful to use a telephone that will not keep a record of the numbers you call. If you call long distance, the phone number will appear on the bill.

The safest way to call or to receive calls from us is from a friend’s phone, a public phone, a work phone, or any telephone that is not in any way connected or accessible to your partner.

Internet-based telephones, which also go by names like “VOIP”, or “Network Telephony”, also keep records of all calls. Web-based telephone systems, such as “Skype”, also keep records. You should not use these types of telephone systems to call for help if your partner has access as well.

Only a local call made on a home telephone line will not produce a record of the call. However, many telephones have a “redial” button, so you should call a friend or other “safe” number after you make any call you don’t want your partner to know about – they can check up on you just by pressing “redial”.

One way to be sure your home telephone uses a regular telephone line is to check your telephone bill. It will come from a telephone company, such as Bell or Rogers. It will not list any local numbers, only long-distance calls. If you still aren’t sure, you should use extra caution.