✍️Digital Footprints: Simple Steps to Clear Your History and Secure Your Devices

The Digital Risk: Taking Control of Your Devices

For survivors, a phone or computer can transform from a necessary lifeline into a serious vulnerability. Abusers often exploit digital patterns—checking browsing history, tracking location, or monitoring communication—to maintain control.

The Guardian Angel Project is built to help you secure your digital life, but there are simple, immediate steps you can take today to protect your privacy and clear your digital footprints. Taking control of your own device is a powerful step toward reclaiming your safety.

Simple Digital Cleanup: Clear Your Tracks

These steps should be done discreetly, ideally on a separate device or network if possible.

  • 1. Clear Your Browsing History: Do this often, especially after visiting support sites. Remember to clear your cache and cookies, too, as these hold tracked information.

  • 2. Check Saved Passwords and Autofill: If your abuser has access to your device, check the saved passwords and autofill information on your browser. Delete any saved logins that they might be able to use to access your accounts.

  • 3. Review App Permissions: Go into your phone settings and look at which apps have access to your location, microphone, and camera. Turn off location access for apps that don't absolutely need it (like games or social media).

Securing Communication Channels

If you need to contact support or plan for safety, create a new, private channel for yourself.

  • Create a Discreet Email: Set up a new, private email address that your abuser does not know about and has never seen on your shared devices. Use this only for sensitive contacts and legal correspondence.

  • Use Encrypted Messaging: When coordinating with trusted allies, use platforms known for end-to-end encryption. Never discuss sensitive plans over shared email accounts or SMS.

  • Change Financial Passwords: Change the passwords for your bank accounts, credit cards, and important utility accounts using your new, secure email address for recovery.

The "Go-Bag" Analog: Documenting Evidence Securely

Safety planning often requires collecting important documents and evidence. The physical "go-bag" now has a crucial digital counterpart.

  • Save Evidence Securely: Use the Guardian Angel app’s secure vault to document and store photos, screenshots, and messages. This is the safest place for evidence because of our Zero-Knowledge Principle (we can't access it).

  • Store Critical Contacts: Save the phone numbers of trusted allies and resources (from our Master Helplines Directory) only within your Guardian Angel contacts, rather than your phone's main contact list.

Vigilance is key. By taking control of your devices, you are actively reducing risk and creating a safer future for yourself.

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