Your Safety Online

Staying Safe Online

Use a safe device

• Make sure you’re using a ‘safe’ device, meaning one which can’t be accessed by the person using violence. This could be a trusted friend’s device or a public computer at a library or workplace.
• Set up a new email account

• Set up a new email account that only you can access from a safe device. Do not use your name in the email address. Use this new email account for safety planning, such as setting up new bank accounts or contacting services. If you need another email address to verify your identity, use that of a trusted friend or family member and avoid using email addresses or phone numbers the person using violence may have access to. Keep using your old email account for communication that is not likely to upset the person using violence or make them suspicious. If you feel the person using violence has access to this new email address, immediately set up a new one on a safe device.
• Avoid using saved passwords to access your accounts

• If you are using saved passwords to log into your accounts automatically, it may be easier for someone using violence to gain quick and easy access to them. Change the passwords on all online accounts and do not save the new password in your browser.
• Add passcodes, pins or passwords to all devices.

• Add a new passcode or pin to your device and set auto-lock to one or two minutes. Do not use passwords that are easily guessed (birthdates, family member names, pets’ names, favourite foods, colours, email addresses, etc.)
• Leave your device at home.

• If you think the person using violence is tracking your location through your device, leave it at home as often as you can, especially if you are visiting support services for help. Restrict apps that use your location, make sure your location services are turned off and that you are not sharing your location.
• Use ‘private’ or ‘incognito’ mode when browsing the internet

• This will stop your browser history from being recorded. Alternatively, delete the recent browser history after use, particularly after visiting any websites you do not want the person using violence to know about.