Tech Safety Tips
As most of our services are provided via email, telephone, and virtually, we take your online your safety and security very seriously.
If you have concerns that your email is being monitored or checked by the other party/parties, we ask you to fill out our safe contact form to ask for assistance. When you fill out the safe contact form, you will not get an automatic email from us to book an appointment. Instead, you will be able to let us know of a time we can get in touch with you via phone. On the form, you will be able to provide us with any other details on how we can make sure that no one else finds out that you are seeking our services.
We recommend you use your personal computer or device to access information (one that is not shared with anyone) if it is secure. As many passwords are stored online and devices are synced to clouds, it is often challenging to think of every security concern. If you are concerned about your electronic safety on your personal computer/device, please use a safe computer such as a public terminal at a library or a computer at a community organization and ensure that your passwords are secure.
What do I do if I think my digital presence is being monitored?
-
Start by deleting your web browser history. Some web browsers will let you surf the web in privacy/stealth and incognito modes. Check if these modes are available in the web browsers you’re using.
Always use a safer computer when you’re communicating with friends and family about your private plans, searching, setting up appointments and communicating with support services and setting up new accounts and passwords. Safer computers can be found in public libraries, schools, community centres, support service offices or even at a trusted friend’s house.
Check your settings to see if your accounts are linked and shared between devices such as a smartphone and tablet as information which is sent from your phone when you are out in the world may be accessible from the tablet at home.
-
Your (ex)partner could have access to your email account.
To be safe, open a new email account your partner does not know about, on a safer computer and use a new and hard to guess password.
Also, try NOT to “click” on the email addresses on web pages as your email and the reply you receive may go to an (ex)partner’s account.
Always copy and paste an email address into the account you own that you know the (ex)partner doesn’t have access to or use webforms to send messages where available.
-
Call and text history can be retrieved in a variety of ways and your cell phone can be used as a tracking device.
Turn off location services on your phone when you don’t need them. Also, check your shared family and friends location settings or any location apps that may have been downloaded on your phone.
You can consider a pay-as-you-go phone if you suspect your phone is being monitored.
-
Change your password and ensure you’re notified if any changes are made to your account through options in your settings.
Only post things you want the public to see or know.
Be protective of your personal information. Your phone numbers and addresses enable people to contact you directly, and information like your birth date, the schools you attended, your employer, and photos with landmarks or location tags may make it easier for someone to find out where you live, hang out or go to school.
Tell people not to post your personal information or include you in comments, tags and check-ins on social media. Set your settings to options like having to “approve” all information about you before they are posted on your page. Remember this doesn’t stop information about you being shared on other people’s accounts, just your own.
-
If you are being monitored and concerned for your safety, consider continuing to maintain appearances by using your computer, email, cell phone, and social media for non-sensitive information. Consider setting up an appointment with a local anti-violence program to safety plan around your technology use.
There is a greater risk of being monitored online for people who are leaving abusive relationships. There are steps you can take to make yourself safer digitally both before the relationship ends and after it ends. Your online use can be monitored in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:
looking up internet browser history, email accounts, and social media accounts;
searching cell phones and other devices;
sharing accounts such as iCloud;
hacking of passwords; and
monitoring through software such as spyware, and hardware such as keystroke loggers.
For in-depth resources, review the BC Society of Transition House’s Tech Safety Toolkit.