Survivors of sexual assault are often concerned about maintaining their privacy concerning the assault. While email and the Internet are useful for communication and learning about sexual assault, they can also lead to breaches in your privacy. The following section explains how someone can discover your Internet activities.
(a) e-mail: if someone has access to your e-mail account, he or she may be able to read your incoming or outgoing mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password he or she will not be able to guess. You can have your password changed!
If someone sends you threatening or harassing e-mail
messages, they may be printed and saved as evidence. Additionally, the messages may constitute a federal
offense. For more information, contact your local United Sates Attorneys Office.
(b) history / cache file: if someone knows how to read your
computer's history or cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the Internet.
You can clear your history or empty your cache file in your
browser's settings.
- Netscape - Pulldown Edit menu, select Preferences. Click on Navigator and choose 'Clear History'. Click on Advanced then Select Cache. Click on 'Clear Disk Cache'.
- Microsoft Explorer - Pulldown View menu, Select Internet
Options. On General Page, under Temporary Internet Files, click on 'Delete Files'. Under History click on "Clear History".
- AOL - Pulldown Members menu, select Preferences. Click on WWW icon. Select Advanced. Select Purge Cache.
Very Important!
- Windows 95/98 ReCycle Bin - Right click on Desktop Icon for Trash or ReCycle and Select "Empty ReCycle Bin".
