Digital Abuse
Controlling, monitoring, and stalking online activities.
Some examples include:
- Demanding passwords and access to accounts
- Monitoring phone use or browser history
- Using location tracking apps or spyware
- Controlling smart home devices
Managing Your Digital Footprint
If you are browsing the Green Haven Shelter for Women website as a means of preparing to leave an abusive environment, it is important to consider the digital footprint you are leaving behind. Abusers may access your search history and become aware of your plan to leave, putting you in danger.
We have put together a quick guide to help you cover your tracks while you’re making these preparations.
Table of Contents
- Identifying Your Browser
- Browsing Privately/Incognito
- Clearing Browsing History
- Safe Instant Messaging
- Safe Email Communication
Identifying Your Browser
Each browser has its own private browsing options and language that it uses. Although they each offer the same features, the steps will be slightly different depending on the browser.
Google Chrome
Commonly used on Windows, Macs, and Androids
Firefox
Commonly used on Windows and Macs
Microsoft Edge
Commonly used on Windows
Safari
Commonly used on Macs and iPhones
Browsing Privately/Incognito
Private browsing allows you to search, browse, and log into accounts discreetly. Once you exit the browser, all of the browser activity is removed. Your passwords and account information are not saved. Your search history is not saved. Each time you open the private browser, it should be completely empty of all user activity.
Google Chrome from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Google Chrome, but do not start your search yet.
- Click on the ⋮ in the top right corner.
- Select New Incognito Window
- Read the “You’ve Gone Incognito” information that opens with the new window.
- Conduct the online activities that you want to keep discreet.
- When you are finished, make sure you exit the Incognito Window.
Google Chrome from a Smart Device
- Open the Google Chrome app, but do not start your search yet.
- Click on the ⋯ in the bottom right corner.
- Select New Incognito Tab
- Read the “You’ve Gone Incognito” information that opens with the new window.
- Conduct the online activities that you want to keep discreet.
- When you are finished, press the ◻ with a number in it to close the tab.
Firefox from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Firefox but do not start your search yet.
- Click on the ≡ in the top right corner.
- Select New Private Window
- Read the “You’re in a Private Window” information that opens with the new window.
- Conduct the online activities that you want to keep discreet.
- When you are finished, make sure you exit the Private Window.
Microsoft Edge from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Microsoft Edge but do not start your search yet.
- Click on the ⋯ in the top right corner.
- Select New inPrivate Window
- Conduct the online activities that you want to keep discreet.
- When you are finished, make sure you exit the inPrivate Window.
Safari from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Safari but do not start your search yet.
- In the top menu, select File.
- Select New Private Window
- Read the “Private Browsing Enabled” information that opens with the new window.
- Conduct the online activities that you want to keep discreet.
- When you are finished, make sure you exit the Private Window.
Safari from a Smart Device
- Open the Safari app, but do not start your search yet.
- Select ❐ in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the text in the bottom middle (Start Page, 1 Tab, 2 Tabs, etc.)
- Select Private
- Read the “Private Browsing Mode” information that opens with the new tab.
- Click the + in the bottom left corner.
- Conduct the online activities that you want to keep discreet.
- When you are finished, tap the ❒ to close the tab.
Clearing Browsing History
If you did not browse privately, then you may want to clear your browser history. Clearing your browser history is a slightly slower process, however it gives you more flexibility to clear specific data or all history that has ever been stored on that specific browser.
Google Chrome from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click on the ⋮ in the top right corner.
- Select History
- Select Clear Browsing History on the left side menu.
- Select the time range that you want to delete.
- Select the activity you want to delete. Note: If you want to delete your passwords, you will need to switch to the Advanced tab.
- Click Clear Data when you’ve made your selections.
Google Chrome from a Smart Device
- Open the Google Chrome app.
- Click on the ⋯ in the bottom right corner.
- Select History
- Select Clear Browsing Data in the bottom left
- Select the time range that you want to delete.
- Select the activity you want to delete.
- Tap Clear Browsing Data when you’ve made your selections.
Firefox from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Firefox
- Click on the ≡ in the top right corner.
- Select History
- Select Clear Recent History from the menu.
- Select the time range that you want to delete.
- Select the activity you want to delete.
- Click OK when you’ve made your selections.
Microsoft Edge from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Click on the ⋯ in in the top right corner.
- Select Settings
- Select Choose what to clear
- Select the activity you want to delete.
- Select Clear
Safari from a Desktop or Laptop
- Open Safari.
- Click on the History from the top menu.
- Select Clear History…
- Select the time range that you want to delete.
- Select Clear History
Safari from a Smart Device
- Open the Safari app.
- Tap 📖 symbol along the bottom menu.
- Select the 🕘 symbol to open History
- Tap Clear in the bottom right corner
- Select the time range that you want to delete.
- It will delete your history, and now you can click Done.
Safe Instant Messaging
If you are using instant messaging or texting to connect with Green Haven Shelter for Women, other community resources, or your support network, it is important that you learn how to safely delete any conversation history. Every app and device has its own gestures and menu options for deleting conversation history. However, some apps have made private messaging a little simpler.
Facebook Messenger/Instagram Apps
Swipe up to engage Secret Messaging Mode. Once the messages are read by the recipient, it vanishes. It is not saved in any easily accessible archive. In order to refresh the Secret Messaging Mode, swipe down and return to thee regular conversation history.
It is important to know that if the message has not yet been read by the recipient, it will remain in the Secret Messaging window. Start these conversations when you know the reader is currently active.
You are able to start a secret conversation with someone by tapping on their name inside the chat. From the menu that opens, select Disappearing Messages. Anything that is sent while this mode is on will be deleted after seven days. It is important to know that these messages do not delete instantaneously as they do with Facebook/Instagram Secret Messaging.
Telegram
The Telegram emphasizes security and has created an option for users to set timers on messages. When you start a new message, you can select New Secret Chat. Once you have this chat window open, you can now select the timer icon to decide for how long messages will be visible.
Deleting iPhone Messages
If you have sent or received a text message that you do not want to remain in your Apple Messages app, you have two options. You can delete the entire conversation, or you delete individual messages.
- Deleting the entire conversation.
- Go to the main Messages screen with your list of conversations.
- Tap and drag your finger to the left on the conversation you want to delete.
- Click on the red button with a trash can.
- Click Delete.
- Deleting individual messages.
- Open the conversation with the messages that you want to delete.
- Tap and hold on the message that you want to remove.
- Click More.
- You can now check the circles along the left side of the screen to select the messages that you want to remove from the conversation.
- Tap the trash can in the bottom left corner.
- Tap Delete Message(s).
Deleting Android Messages
If you have sent or received a text message that you do not want to remain in your Messages app, you have two options. You can delete the entire conversation, or you delete individual messages.
- Deleting the entire conversation.
- Go to the main Messages screen with your list of conversations.
- Tap and hold on the conversation you want to delete.
- Tap on the trash can in the top right corner.
- Confirm you want to Delete.
- Deleting individual messages.
- Open the conversation with the messages that you want to delete.
- Tap and hold on the message that you want to remove.
- Tap the trash can in the top right corner.
- Confirm you want to Delete.
Safe Email Communication
Green Haven Shelter for Women offers clients the option to email us for crisis support. Although there are not many options for self-destructing emails among the more common email clients, we will explore what wee do know to be available.
Gmail – Confidential Mode
When composing an email in Gmail from your browser, you can choose the padlock/clock icon along the bottom menu. When you send the email, it will allow you to select the date and the time when you want the email to erase. On the date you set, the body of the email will erase. (The subject of the email will remain visible.) If you’re emailing a non-Gmail user, then you will set a password. This password will also expire on the date you set.
You can remove access to an email even earlier by locating the email in the Sent Folder and clicking Remove Access. the recipient will then lose access to the email.
Learn more about Signs of Abuse →