Cover Your Tracks

How to cover your tracks online

An abuser can track your Internet activities, including websites you have visited and searches you have done. There are ways to cover your tracks online but you need to be careful. If your abuser is comfortable with computers and sees that you have deleted files, he or she may get angry or suspicious. If this is a possibility, try to use a different computer, like one at the library, work or a friend's house.

What is/are...

History? Web browsers keep a list of websites you have visited. You can look at your own history by clicking on the history button on your toolbar, or by pressing the "control" and "H" keys together.

Cache Files? Cache automatically saves web pages and graphics. Anyone who looks at the cache file on your computer can see what information you have looked at recently.

AutoFill/AutoComplete? Some web browsers are set to remember words or phrases you have previously typed in so anyone online can see websites you've looked at and searches you've done.

Cookies: Cookies are pieces of information from websites you have visited. This information lets these websites show a person's browsing patterns.

You can begin by deleting these files so your computer doesn't show the websites you have visited.

Please visit the following web sites for more information: 

External Sites With More Information

Note: these sites are external to the Government of Alberta and are for information purposes only.  The Government of Alberta and Children and Youth Services do not necessarily endorse or approve of the content therein, and can bear no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of these sites.  Please contact the external site for answers to questions relating to its content.