How to cover your tracks:
computers, devices & phones

Technology can be used as a means of control in an abusive relationship. An abusive person can use phones, computers and devices to monitor and also control the other (such as their whereabouts, emails, text messages, photos, social contacts, spending, finances, activities, identity theft, privacy, etc.). 

The safest way to ensure not being tracked is to use a device that does not belong to you (at library, friend’s home, or work, etc.).

  • The Quickly Exit Site button on the top right of this site will quickly hide the page and bring you to the site for Montreal Weather, but you will still need to delete your history to fully cover your tracks.

  • Every website browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Google Chrome, Safari) keeps a record of the places you search and visit on the internet, and the emails you send. 

    • Do not share your passwords.

    • Log out after using a computer.

    • Internet: Consider using a private or incognito window for your searches since these windows do not record history.  

    • Clear your browser history:  To erase your tracks, please search for the most up to date instructions on “how to clear your browser history”.  Each browser (Safari, Firefox) will have their individual instructions. 

    • Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) can be particularly risky:

      • don't use your own name or post personal information

      • update your privacy settings

      • consider closing your accounts

  • Threatening or harassing emails sent to you from your partner may be printed and saved as evidence of abuse.

    • Any emails you send will be stored in your Sent Items folder.  If you started an email but didn’t finish it, that will also be saved, in the Drafts folder. 

    • When you delete an item in any email program, it does not actually delete the item but moves it to a folder called Deleted Items. These items in the Deleted folder then need to be deleted / emptied again. Description text goes here

  • Delete any text messages in which you may have disclosed that you are in an unhealthy relationship but be aware that these can still be retrieved through different apps. 

    • Long distance calls will show up on a phone bill.

    • An individual can easily acquire spyware to tap (listen to) your phone calls, on cellular devices on landlines.

    • Cell phones also have GPS which tracks your location.  Turn off your device’s location information.  

    • The safest way to prevent tracking your location based on your cell phone is to shut it down completely and remove the battery. 

    • When in doubt, use a work phone, a pay phone, a friend’s phone, or any other phone that cannot be tracked.