How to cover your internet tracks

Safety information

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As you use the internet, your internet browser (for example Internet Explorer or Firefox) will save certain information such as which sites you have visited, files you have downloaded and images you have viewed.

If you are worried an abuser may have access to your computer, you can cover your tracks by taking a few simple precautions outlined below.

However, all this information may not completely hide your tracks. If you have any concerns, use a friend's computer, a work computer or visit a local library or internet cafe to ensure you are safe.

Deleting cookies, files and internet history

If you know what browser you are using, skip to the relevant instructions below. If you don't know, select 'Help' on your toolbar at the top of the screen. A drop down menu will appear and the last entry will say 'About Internet Explorer'/'About Mozilla Firefox' or something similar. This shows you the name of the browser you are using and in turn which instructions to follow, below.

Internet Explorer

Select 'Tools' and 'Internet Options'

On the 'General' page, under 'Temporary Internet Files' select 'Delete Cookies' and then 'OK'

Select 'Delete Files', put a tick in the box labeled 'Delete all offline content' and then 'OK'

Under 'History' select 'Clear History' and then 'OK'

At the top of the window select the 'Content' tab, select 'AutoComplete' and 'Clear Forms'.

Firefox/Netscape

Select 'Tools' then 'Options' and 'Privacy.'

Select 'History' and 'Clear Browsing History Now.'

Select 'Saved forms' and then 'Clear Saved Forms Data Now.'

Select 'Passwords' and untick 'Remember Passwords.'

Select 'Download History' and 'Clear Download History Now.'

Select 'Cookies' and 'Clear Cookies Now.'

Select 'Cache' and then 'Clear Cache Now.'

Alternatively to quickly erase all private data select 'Tools' and 'Clear Private Data' (or ctrl+shift+delete on the keyboard).

Opera

Select 'Tools' and 'Preferences.'

Select the 'Advanced' tab and then 'History' on the left-hand side.

Select two 'Clear' buttons and 'Empty Now'.

Deleting your browsing history

Internet browsers also keep a record of all the web pages you visit. This is known as a 'history'. To delete history for Internet Explorer and Netscape/Firefox hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard, then press the H key (Crtl, Alt and H for Opera). Find any entries that say www.respect.uk.net (or any other site you want to delete) right click and choose Delete.

Email

If an abuser has access to your email account, they may be able to read your incoming and outgoing mail. Make sure that you choose a password that an abuser will not be able to guess - and change it regularly, just in case.