Web Safety

Leaving this site quickly

Every page on this website has a Quick Exit button in the header. Pressing it takes you straight to the BBC Weather website and replaces this page in your browser, so this site does not appear if you press the back button.

It is worth trying it now, so you know where it is and what it does before you need it.

You can also close the window yourself. The keyboard shortcuts are:

• Windows: hold Alt and press F4 to close the window, or hold Ctrl and press W to close the tab
• Mac: hold Command and press W

It can help to open another website in a second window or tab first, and leave it behind the one you are using. That way, if you close this site quickly, you are not left looking at a blank screen.

Browsing privately

Every browser has a private mode that does not keep a record of the pages you visit once you close the window. It is the simplest way to use this site without leaving a trail on your own device.

• Chrome and Edge: open a new InPrivate or Incognito window from the browser menu, or hold Ctrl, Shift and N on Windows, or Command, Shift and N on a Mac
• Safari: choose New Private Window from the File menu, or hold Command, Shift and N
• Firefox: choose New Private Window from the menu, or hold Ctrl, Shift and P on Windows, or Command, Shift and P on a Mac

Clearing your browsing history

If you have already visited this site in a normal window, you can clear your history afterwards. In every main browser the steps are broadly the same:

• open the browser menu and find History, then Clear browsing data or Clear history
• choose a time range, and tick browsing history, download history, cookies and cached files
• confirm

On most browsers you can go straight there by holding Ctrl, Shift and Delete on Windows, or Command, Shift and Delete on a Mac.

You can also delete single entries rather than everything. Open your history, find the pages you want to remove, and delete those.

If your safety is at risk

Clearing your history is not a complete solution. Someone with access to your device, your router or your account may still be able to find out which websites have been visited, and monitoring software can record activity whatever you delete afterwards.

If you think someone may be monitoring your devices, the safest option is to use a device they do not have access to, such as one at a library, at work, or at a friend’s house.

Refuge publishes detailed guidance on technology and safety at refugetechsafety.org.

Phone and mobile safety

If you are using a phone or tablet, remember that your browser history, your call and message history, and any apps you have used may all be visible to someone else with access to the device.

If you are worried about being overheard or tracked, consider using a different phone to contact us, or call us from somewhere you feel safe.

Getting support

If you need to talk to someone, you can call the referral and support line on 0300 003 7777 and speak to a First Contact Navigator, or contact one of our centres directly.

In an emergency, always call 999.