Cell Phone Safety for Victims of Violence/Abuse

Cell Phone Safety for Victims of Violence/Abuse

Trust your instincts. If you suspect someone is monitoring your calls, location, or conversations, they might be doing so. Narrowing down how they are monitoring your activities will help you determine your next steps. 


Here are some general safety tips for you to consider:


Lock your cell phone with a passcode and don't share it with anyone.


Turn off the GPS on your phone and leave it on emergency calls only. Be aware that some phones may limit this capability and some apps will not work with the GPS off.


Some apps will allow you to opt out of it gathering location information. If an app will not give you that option, consider not downloading the app. For apps that do allow you to opt out, turn off the location feature and check regularly to ensure that your preference doesn't get changed during an update.


If you have apps connect to online accoutns on your cell phone, do not stay logged in. Log off after each use.


Turn off the Bluetooth on your cell phone when it is not in use.


Check your cell phone account every now and then through your wireless carrier's website to ensure that you know all the features that are running on your phone.


Run antivirus and security software on your phone. Some software will even list all the programs that are running on your phone.

Avoid purchasing a "jail-broken" phone or jail-breaking your phone (removing the manufacturer and carrier's restrictions) since these phones are much more vulnerable to spyware and malware.

When you're choosing apps for your phone, consider the tips in the App Safety Center. These tips apply to everyday apps and apps specifically designed to help violence survivors.

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