Tips to browse safely online

Here you'll find some basic tips to protect your privacy and reduce the ability for people to see what you do online.

The 'Close this site' button

Some pages on this website include a 'Close this site' button. Use this button to quickly hide what you are looking at. You might find this helpful if someone comes into the room or looks over your shoulder and you don't want them to know what you've been looking at.

When you use the 'Close this site' button, it immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

You can also quickly close this site by using the ESC button on your computer keyboard. It immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

The 'Close this site' function doesn't delete your browser history. This means that if someone checks your browser history on your computer or mobile device, they will be able to see everything you looked at on our website.

Clear your browsing history regularly

Web browsers keep track of your online activity through your browser history, cookies and caching. This is so you can find websites you've visited before, but it also means other people can see this data.

To protect your privacy, it's a good idea to clear your browsing history regularly. You can choose to delete everything or only some things.

Find out how to clear your browsing history in:

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Use private browsing

Private browsing is an easy way to hide your browsing habits. If enabled, when you close your browser, all browsing history and stored cookies from future browsing sessions will automatically disappear.

However, the sites you visited during your current browsing session will record your browsing activity. Your internet service provider will also record this information. Any files you download using private browsing won't be deleted, so other people can access them if they use your device.

Find out how to enable private browsing in:

Internet Explorer
- In the 'Tools' menu (the cog icon on top right of the browser window), select 'Safety', then 'InPrivate Browsing'.
Google Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Accounts and passwords

Don't let your browser auto-save your passwords. While the auto-save function may be convenient, it gives anyone who uses your device access to your accounts.

When you are using an account with a password (e.g. your social media or email account), always log out before leaving the website.

Using other computers and devices

If you are worried about someone looking at your internet use, consider using a computer or device that they can't access.

This might be a computer at your local library, your work computer, or a family or friend's device. But again, don't auto-save any passwords and make sure you log out of your accounts when you've finished using the computer.

This advice is from "Tips to browse safely online" by The State of Queensland.

The content is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Donate so Aboriginal kids can hold police accountable

$56,300.00 has already been donated.

Let's get to $50,000.00

*He was 11 years old kicking a ball around with his friends, when two police officers stopped him in the street.

Standing over him, they told him that he fit the description of someone, and demanded he empty his school bag. He did as they ordered. Then infront of onlookers, the officers asked him to remove his clothes.

This is the daily life for Aboriginal kids in our communities. We need to empower Aboriginal kids and their families with training so that they know their rights and can stand up for them. Can you chip in to hold police accountable by providing training to as many kids as possible?

Police strip searches are harming our kids. Communities are asking for support. Can you help?

When Aboriginal kids understand their rights, they feel more confident asking for parents or legal help. Aboriginal communities need to understand their rights and options. Together we can make this happen.

All kids and families should understand their legal rights and feel comfortable asking for help. Please donate today.

Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited is run by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people.
We have been fighting for our mob since we opened doors in Redfern almost 50 years ago.

50k will create digital resources for our kids
75k will deploy police accountability training in communities
100k will deploy legal advocacy and media training in communities
200k will fund an Aboriginal community trainer

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and travel. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices our Elders have made to better our community and future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this site contains names and images of people who have passed away.