Computer Safety

EMAIL SAFETY

Email or Instant/Text Messaging (IM) is not a safe or confidential way to communicate. Sending email is like sending a postcard through the mail. Anyone along the path can read what it says. If you need to talk to someone about the danger or abuse in your life, if possible, please call a hotline instead. (SWiC’s 24-hour hotline is 570.622.6220 or 1.800.282.0634.) If you must use email to discuss your situation, we suggest you use an account that your abuser doesn't know about. Set up a new account with a free email service like hotmail, yahoo, or gmail. If the computer asks if you would like it to save your password or login information, tell it NO.

PASSWORD SAFETY

Be cautious about passwords to keep your abuser out of your accounts. Change your password(s) often and DO NOT store passwords. DO NOT use a name or password that contains any identifying information (no names, nicknames, initials, birthdates, zipcodes, etc.). Instead use a name and password that contains a random mix of upper and lower case letters and numbers (for example, HJ3v67Tn). Make sure you can remember the user name and password. If you must write it down somewhere, put it in a place where your abuser is unlikely to find it. If the computer asks if you would like it to save your password or login information, tell it NO.

PHONE SAFETY

• Traditional “corded” phones are more private than cell phones or cordless phones. You may not be able to reach 9-1-1 using an internet phone or internet-based phone service. You may need to be prepared to use another phone to call 9-1-1.
• If you use a cell phone, be aware there are numerous ways an abuser can use cell phone technology to overhear your calls or locate you. Use a cell phone only if you do not have access to a regular phone, and make sure that you do not give any identifying details on a cell phone. If your abuser works for a phone company or law enforcement agency, use extreme caution, and discuss cell phone safety with a domestic violence advocate.
• Do not use a cell phone that has been a gift from your abuser or is on the same account as your abuser’s phone. He will be able to access logs of your calls and texts and even be able to locate you through the phone’s GPS (Global Positioning System) which is a location-finding feature. A cell phone in "silent mode" or "auto answer" can serve as a tracking device. If you are fleeing from your abuser, either turn off your cell phone or leave it behind.
• Wireless carriers are required to complete 9-1-1 calls, even when a phone is not activated. Any phone that turns on and receives a signal is capable of making 9-1-1 calls. NOTE: If the phone you're using isn't activated, (i.e., no phone number is assigned to it), and you're disconnected from the 9-1-1 dispatch center, you must call 9-1-1 back.
• You can obtain a donated used cell phone from SWiC in order to be able to call 9-1-1.

PHONE APPS FOR SAFETY

RUSafe is a free dangerous relationship assessment app for Apple or Android that invites the user to answer a series of questions about her/his relationship. The app then calculates the responses and, if there is cause for concern, it will enable the user to directly call the domestic violence hotline in their area. If the user is in immediate, lethal danger, s/he can call 9-1-1 directly from the app. RUSafe is based on the Danger Assessment developed by Jacquelyn C. Campbell, PhD, RN, FAAN of Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. The app was developed by the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and Newton Consulting, who generously donated their time and services.

Click HERE for more information.

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New Mobile Apps May Increase Safety

The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association has announced two new apps for smartphones created by APPRISS called VINELink and MobilePatrol. Both apps are free and available through the Apple App Store and Google Play and can be downloaded on iPhone and Android devices.

VINELink enables users to track and be notified of the status of offenders in county correctional institutions and the PA State Prison System. VINELink is anonymous for users, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the Vinemobile app, the user can obtain up-to-date offender status and search for offenders by first and last names or by age/gender. Individuals can register to receive notifications through phone, email, or text whenever an offender’s status changes. The app also provides access to PA’s victim services as well as other emergency numbers with a single tap. The system is also available online.

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The MobilePatrol app was created to increase community safety by enabling any concerned citizen to connect to important safety information, news, and critical alerts such as descriptions of an actor sought in a recent crime, weather alerts, or missing children alerts for any location of interest. In addition, the app can be used to report tips on suspected crimes and offenders. You can download the MobilePatrol app at https://apprisssafety.com/solutions/mobilepatrol/.

PRIVATE BROWSING/CLEARING BROWSER HISTORY

Information you have brought up on the internet (including this webpage) may be viewed by anyone who knows how to access your computer's history or cache file. In order to prevent this tracking from happening, you should turn on private browsing and/or clear your browser's history. This task can be done by accessing your internet browser settings.

PLEASE NOTE: Clearing web browser histories in this way will delete ALL histories of visited websites. If you are concerned that someone may be checking up on your internet usage, the absence of all files and history may appear suspicious. Instead of clearing your history every time you visit the webpage, you can use the instructions below to turn on private browsing before you visit the webpage. Additionally, other software programs are available that can track website visits.

Here is what to do:

If you believe that someone may be monitoring your internet activity, try using a friend's computer or one at the public library. You can call SWiC’s 24-hour hotline at 570.622.6220 or 800.282.0634 for help in avoiding a trail of visited internet websites.

Listen to this interview from radio station Midlands 103
discussing the surge in the use of technology as means of stalking.

WARNING SIGNS OF AN ABUSER

If you are currently speaking to someone online and plan to meet them, understand the warning signs of an abuser. Abuse is about power and control, and abusers try to mask their efforts to control you, usually by explaining controlling behavior as simply a great desire to be with you. NOTE: Abusers may exhibit many other signs, and some signs are not apparent in the beginning of a relationship, but the following are common:

• Jealousy – He is bothered when you talk to someone else or go somewhere without him, even early on in relationship.
• Possessiveness – He wants to know everything about you, what you do, and where you are, and he wants to have a say in those things.
• Explosive temper – He can switch moods from fine to furious in seconds.
• Not wanting you to spend time with family or friends – He tries to keep you away from people who care about you, who may recognize warning signs before you do, and who will validate your worth.
• Not allowing you to speak freely or have your own opinions – His opinion is always the “right” one.
• Telling you what you can/cannot wear – Whether he likes what you are wearing or not, he wants to have the final say – or the only say – in what you wear.
• Not accepting “No” as a response from you – Not getting his own way is not an option. At first he may try to coax you to accept his point of view or idea, but later he may become violent if you say “No” to anything.

For more safety tips for being safe online and on your phone, please visit The National Network to End Domestic Violence's Technology Safety Resources

Other Resources:

Understanding and Preventing Cyberbullying

SWiC’s 24-Hour Hotline
570.622.6220 or toll free at 800.282.0634