​Tech Safety for Domestic Violence Survivors

Cases of domestic violence are increasing by the day, and numerous individuals are enduring silently. Mostly, domestic violence perpetrators use technology as an instrument of control and abuse, both on the web and offline. Although you might not have command over the activities of your abuser, finding out about how innovation can be utilized against you can enable you to assume responsibility for your security and wellbeing.
Having said that, before you keep reading this post, it's prudent to access this content from a gadget that your abuser has no physical or remote access to. On the other hand, you can utilize your browser’s incognito window to browse secretly. Here are some domestic violence digital tips to help you maintain a strategic distance from tech-based domestic violence:
 
Secure Gadgets in your Home
Each and every networked gadget in your home, particularly those that come with surveillance features like cameras, motion sensors or mouthpieces can be abused. These gadgets present security dangers and make it easy for domestic violence culprits to utilize them to hurt you. Continuously avoid such gadgets if you can't deactivate these surveillance features. You can likewise contract a tech expert to sweep your gadgets, including your vehicle, for bugs or GPS trackers. However, be cautious when doing that as your abuser could be checking your activities. In the event that you can't trust your vehicle, it's a smart thought to hitch a ride with another person or take a taxi, train, or bus.
 
Be Vigilant
There's no foolproof approach to know whether somebody is utilizing your gadgets against you or that they've messed with your cell phone or PC. In any case, if you doubt that somebody has altered your gadgets, search for missing screws, free parts, and scratches in uncommon areas. Ensure that you set up your phone yourself to guarantee that isn't 'secure.' Stalkers can root your gadget by introducing spyware or monitoring applications, giving the abuser access to your location consistently.
 
Reset Your Phone
Cell phones have a reset feature that enables you to restore factory settings. Utilize this feature to restore your device to factory settings if you suspect that somebody has introduced a spyware or surveillance applications on your gadget. Resetting your cell phone reestablishes it to a sensible condition of trustworthiness. From here, you can introduce antivirus and antispyware programs to safeguard your gadget from hacking.
 
Set Up a Strong Password
Something you ought to do after you've reset your phone is set up a solid password to avert unapproved access. Ensure that the password is difficult to figure out — at least six digits — and set up on-gadget encryption. Abstain from utilizing less secure validation strategies, for example, face recognition as stalkers can undoubtedly get around these and access your gadget without your consent. For online records, for example, email, banking, and social media accounts ensure that you've initiated two-factor authentication.
 
Be Careful with Social Media Sites and Apps
You also need to exercise caution when accessing social media accounts and applications to ensure that they are not utilized against you. Social media sites and applications are extremely useful assets for digital stalkers. In the event that an application is associated with the gadget's GPS, you might be, without your insight, labeling your area when you share posts.
 
Secure Important Information
Abusers will utilize any accessible way to make their victim’s lives troublesome and maintain authority over their lives. This incorporates taking sensitive documents and records, for example, travel papers, visas, credit cards, medical covers, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and so on. We need these reports to work, drive, and travel out of the nation, in addition to other things. Without them, life can turn out to be frustrating. Make duplicates of these records and transfer them to the cloud. Cloud-based applications like Dropbox can help you store and access significant documents remotely.
 
Rundown
Ideally, these tips can help you to transform technology into an integral asset for wellbeing, security, and freedom. Constantly secure your devices, establish whether you can trust your gadgets like cell phone, PC, vehicle, and other networked devices, back up your information, and build up a secure correspondence with your loved ones. Furthermore, attempt to deal with your finances for added assurance and security.