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Internet and Computer Safety

SAFETY ALERT: Computer use can be monitored and is difficult to hide. If you are or might be in danger, please use a safer computer (see suggestions below), call your local domestic violence hotline (see a list of Kentucky domestic violence hotline phone numbers) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. You do not have to give your name when calling the domestic violence hotlines.

  • There are hundreds of ways that computers record everything you do on the computer and on the Internet.

  • If you are in danger, please try to use a safer computer that someone abusive does not have direct access, or even remote (hacking) access to.

  • Use a safer computer. It might be safer to use a computer in a public library, at a community technology center (CTC) www.ctcnet.org (national directory), at a trusted friend's house, or at 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 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".

  • 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 to research an escape plan.

  • E-mail is not a safe or confidential way to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life, please call your local domestic violence program hotline instead.

  • Traditional "corded" phones are more private than cellular phones or cordless phones.