Staying Safe
Internet Safety
To be safe, erase any record that you have visited the Harbour House website. If anyone has access to your computer, they will be able to see which websites you have visited unless you erase your tracks.
iPhone and iPad
Safari
Open iPhone or iPad Settings
Scroll down and tap Safari
Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data
Tap Clear History and Data
Google Chrome
Tap the 3 vertical dots in the bottom-right corner
In the drop-down menu, tap History
Tap Clear browsing data
Tap the options you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
Tap the Clear browsing data button.
Android
Google Chrome
Tap the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner
In the drop-down menu, tap History
Tap Clear browsing data
Select the Time Range you’d like to clear
Tap the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
To clear more data, click the Advanced tab and tap the additional boxes of data you’d like to clear
Tap Clear Data to erase the selected data
Samsung Internet
Tap the Hamburger menu in the bottom right corner
Tap Settings in the popup menu
Scroll down and tap Privacy and Security
Scroll down to Personal Data and tap Delete browsing data
Tap the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
Tap Delete to erase the selected data.
Home Computer/Laptop
Google Chrome
Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner
Put your cursor over History
Click History in the slide out menu
On the left side, click Clear Browsing Data
Keyboard shortcut to get here is Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows
Select the Time Range you’d like to clear
Check the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
To clear more data, click the Advanced tab and select the additional boxes of data you’d like to clear
Click Clear Data to erase the selected data
Close your browser
Safari
In the top left of the screen, beside the Apple icon, click Safari
Click Clear History in the menu
Select the Time Range you’d like to clear
Click “Clear History.” to erase the data
Close your browser
Microsoft Edge
Click the 3 horizontal dots in the top right corner
Put your cursor over History and click Clear Browsing Data
Keyboard shortcut to get here is Ctrl + Shift + Delete
Select the Time Range you’d like to clear
Check the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
Click Clear to erase the selected data
Close your browser
Firefox
Click the hamburger icon in the top right corner
Select Library, then History, then Clear History
Keyboard shortcut to get here is Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows
Select the Time Range you’d like to clear
Check the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
Click Ok to erase the selected data
Close your browser
Opera
Click the hamburger icon in the top right corner
Scroll down to Browsing Data and click Clear
Keyboard shortcut to get here is Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows
Select the Time Range you’d like to clear
Check the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
To clear more data, click the Advanced tab and select the additional boxes of data you’d like to clear
Click Clear Data to erase the selected data
Close your browser
Internet Explorer
Press Ctrl+Shift+Del to open the Delete Browsing History window
Check the box next to each type of data you’d like to clear. Recommendation would be to select all data
Click Delete
Close your browser
Remember:
When you clear the cache and the history list, you erase ALL information that had been previously stored there. If your partner notices that the cache and history list have been deleted, they will realize that you know how to delete your tracks as well as possibly thinking that you have something to hide.
A way to avoid suspicion is after clearing the CACHE and HISTORY LIST spend some time visiting sites that you think your partner wouldn’t object to. This way, the cache and history list start to get filled up and your partner might be less likely to notice that old information is missing.
If an abuser has access to your email account, they may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password that’s difficult to guess. If an abuser sends you threatening or harassing email messages, print and save the messages as evidence of this abuse and report it to police.
A woman’s partner can often tell when she makes up her mind to stop the abuse. Do not underestimate your partner. Always erase your tracks.
Telephone Safety
When you call Harbour House or any organization that assists abused women, you must be careful to use a telephone that will not keep a record of the number you called. If you call long distance, the phone number will appear on the bill. Even if you call locally, if you use an Internet-based telephone system, with a name like VOIP or SKYPE, records of the call will be kept. If your partner has access to the system, they will be able to identify who you have called.
Cell phones can also keep records of the numbers that have been called.
A local call made on a regular telephone line will not produce a record of the call. However, many telephones have a “redial” button. You may want to 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 Eastlink. It will not list any local numbers, only long distance. If you still aren’t sure, you should use extra caution.
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 has nothing to do with your partner.