Internet Safety

Please note: no advice can ever be guaranteed. If you need to send private e-mails or information over the internet, use a secure PC and not your abusers. If you have no other choice then here are some tips.

Everything you do on a computer can be tracked, traced and, depending on the skill or applications available to a person, recovered.

With all browsers (internet browser, ie. Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari...), there are generic ways to remove your tracks, but please be warned, nothing raises suspicion more than a completely empty cache or lack of cookies.

How to clear your browser

Link for Generic Browser Clearance. http://www.earthnet.net/support/general/clear_cache.htm

USB Keys

One tip that can help you regain some anonymity if you are forced to use your abusers PC, is the new range of USB keys available. They can be preloaded with free mini browsers (like OPERA or Firefox)*.

When you wish to surf the net you plug the key into a USB port and open the browser on the key. This means your tracks, cookies, cache, etc, also remain on the key. You can also get lite (ie, small in size) e-mail applications that can run from a small USB key.

More information on portable applications.

More information on surfing anonymously using Tor (an add on for Firefox: wiki here).

NB: Your annonymity relies on your ability to remember to remove the key afterwards. It's easy to leave it plugged into a machine.

* Please scan all software you download with a virus checker. AVG is a free resource.