We understand that the internet can be a powerful tool for seeking help and information, but it can also pose risks to your privacy and safety. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we want to make sure that you have the knowledge to protect yourself online.
Browsing privately
View websites in a private browsing window which will not appear in your browser’s history, web cache or cookies. Online services may still be able to monitor your activity (to provide personalised ads, for example) but it won’t leave a trace on your computer.
To open a private browsing window, according to your browser:
- Internet explorer - Click on the round cog at the top right of the window, then go to Safety > Tools > InPrivate Browsing
- Firefox - Click on the three horizontal lines at the top right of the window, then click on ‘New Private Window’
- Chrome - Click on the three dots at the top right of the window, then click on ‘New Incognito Window’
- Safari (on a Mac) - Click File > ‘New Private Window’
- Safari (on an iPhone/iPad) – Click the two squares at the bottom (iPhone) or top (iPad) of the window, then the ‘Private’ button
Browsing safely
An alternative to Private Browsing is to use a different computer, such as a friend’s laptop or a computer at your local library. This can help avoid leaving a trace on your own device.
Don’t neglect internet security though – sensitive data such as online banking is best handled on your own device to ensure maximum security.
Deleting your browsing history
Desktop browsers
- Common browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer): To find your browsing history, hold Ctrl + press H. Find any entries you want to remove, right-click on them and choose ‘Delete’.
- Opera: To find your browsing history hold Ctrl+Alt+H. Tap on the three dots then tap ‘Settings.’ Under Settings, tap Clear browsing data.
- Search engine toolbars: If you have any search engine toolbars installed in the browser itself, check they haven’t recorded your searches. They will have their own methods of deleting their search history that you can look up.
Mobile browsers
- Chrome: Tap on the three dots at the top right of the screen, then tap ‘History’. From there, you can clear your browsing history.
- Safari (iPhone/iPad): Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
- Firefox: Tap on the three lines at the bottom right of the screen (or top right for Android), then tap ‘Settings’ > ‘Clear Private Data’.
- Opera: Tap on the ‘O’ at the bottom right of the screen, then tap ‘History’ > ‘Clear’.
Deleting your browsing history won’t affect logins, so if you have accounts set up on any websites (e.g. Facebook, Amazon), remember to log out of any you don’t want others to know about.
Emails that contain threatening or harassing content can be saved and/or printed as evidence if needed. Emails you’ve written will be stored in the ‘Sent/Outbox’ folders (or ‘Drafts’ if unfinished).
If you don’t want anyone to see an email on your device, consider printing a copy if needed and then deleting it. Be aware that reply emails will usually have the original email attached to them, whether on your device or printed out.
Don’t forget to also clear your ‘Deleted Items’ folder if you’re using an email program such as Outlook or Thunderbird.