Digital Safety

Technology can be helpful, but it can also be misused to monitor, control, or intimidate someone. These tips focus on staying safer online and on your devices.

1. Browsing Safely

• Use a private/incognito window when searching for help.
• Clear your browsing history, recent tabs, and search history.
• Avoid saving passwords on shared or unsafe devices.
• Use a VPN if you think someone may be monitoring your internet connection.

2. Phone & Device Settings

• Check if your phone is linked to another iCloud/Google account.
• Turn off location sharing or “Find My” sharing where safe.
• Review your app permissions for camera, mic, and location access.
• Set a strong passcode and avoid sharing it.

3. Social Media Safety

• Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
• Review who has access to shared albums, posts, and stories.
• Disable location tagging in posts.
• Limit who can see your activity, messages, and friends list.

4. Signs of Device Monitoring

If you notice any of the following, it may indicate spyware or monitoring:

• Battery draining unusually quickly
• Phone hot even when not in use
• Unknown apps in settings
• Unexpected data usage spikes

5. If You Think Your Device Is Not Safe

Whenever possible, use a different device such as:

• A friend’s phone
• A public computer at a library
• A work device

These reduce the chances of monitoring and leave fewer digital traces.