Ways to stay safe online
You may not want someone else to know that you have been looking at this website, or searching for information about abuse, crime, or support services. Every time you browse the internet on a phone, tablet or computer, it can leave a trail of the pages and sites you have visited. It is not possible to fully avoid this, but there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of someone else seeing what you have been looking at.
If you are in immediate danger, always call 999. If it is not safe to talk, listen to the operator and cough or tap the keypad when prompted, press 55. This is the ‘Silent Solution’ and it lets the operator know your call is an emergency.
If you need to leave this page quickly
Use the Leave this page quickly button at the top of this page. This takes you straight to another website (BBC and Google), with no way for someone to click ‘back’ and return here. It does not delete your browsing history. If you need to remove this page from your history too, see the instructions below.
Private (incognito) browsing
Most browsers have a private or ‘incognito’ mode. When you browse this way, the browser does not save your history, cookies, or search terms on that device. This is usually the safest option if you are worried about someone checking what you have looked at, because unlike deleting your history afterwards, there is nothing left to delete or notice missing.
You can find instructions for opening a private window on the most common browsers below:
Deleting your browsing history
Think about your safety before deleting your history. If you delete your browsing history on a shared device, the other person may notice. Saved passwords, autofill details, or website addresses they were used to seeing may disappear, which can draw attention to what you have done. Private browsing (above) avoids this problem, because nothing is recorded in the first place.
Google Chrome
On a computer:
- Select the three dots in the top-right corner
- Select History → History
- Select Delete browsing data
- Choose a time range and make sure Browsing history is ticked
- Select Delete data
Microsoft Edge
On a computer:
- Select the three dots in the top-right corner
- Select History
- Select Clear browsing data
- Choose a time range and tick Browsing history
- Select Clear now
Safari
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings → Apps → Safari → Clear History and Website Data.
On a Mac, open Safari and select History → Clear History, then choose a time range.
Firefox
On a computer:
- Select the menu button (three lines)
- Select History → Clear Recent History
- Choose a time range and make sure Browsing & Download History is ticked
- Select Clear Now
Browser menus change from time to time, so if these steps do not quite match what you see, use the ‘Full instructions’ link for each browser, which is kept up to date by the browser maker.
Delete your search history
Clearing your browser history does not necessarily remove searches stored in an online account. If you are signed in to an account such as Google or Microsoft while you search, your search activity may be saved to that account and could be visible on other devices where you are also signed in.
If you think someone else can access one of your accounts, consider whether it is safe to review your account activity, or to change your password or account settings.
If you send an email, a copy is usually kept in your ‘Sent’ folder. If you start writing one but do not send it, it may be saved automatically in ‘Drafts’. If you reply to a message, the original text is often included further down the email.
Deleting an email usually only moves it to a ‘Deleted’ or ‘Trash’ folder rather than removing it completely — you may need to empty that folder separately, or delete the individual message from within it, for it to be fully removed.
General device security
If your phone, tablet or computer is not protected with a password, PIN, or fingerprint/face lock, anyone with access to the device can see what you have been looking at. Setting a passcode is one of the simplest ways to add a layer of privacy.
No method can completely guarantee your browsing stays hidden, some devices and browsers keep records in ways that are not always obvious. If you are worried about being tracked on a shared or monitored device, the safest option can be to use a device the other person cannot access at all, such as a public library computer, a trusted friend's device, or a computer at work.
Further reading
This guidance draws on advice published by Victim Support and Women's Aid. For their full, regularly updated guides, visit:
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can find local support on our Domestic Abuse page, or contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, free and available 24 hours a day, on 0808 2000 247.
If you have experienced sexual violence or abuse, visit our Sexual Violence page for local and national support, or call the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support helpline free, 24 hours a day, on 0808 500 2222.
