Death Switch

[Kay]

I think this is brilliant. Firstly, think of how many online contacts you have between emails, social networks, forums, online gaming etc. Imagine you were to die tomorrow suddenly. How would they know what had happened? All your passwords are in your head. How could family let them know without being able to gain access to your computer? Death Switch has an answer.

http://www.deathswitch.com/

[Fergal]

How morbid. Personally I wouldn't use the service. I'd be afraid that I wouldn't get their password emails or that I'd forget about them and they'd email my list telling them I'm dead.

If I had a secret or wishes for after I'm dead I'd pass them on to people close to me when I'm still alive or failing that I'd leave a letter with my solicitor or bank.

[scifi]

Concept gives a tint of innovation in it...Sounds like good concept but does assured bu security guaranteed by the company..

We keep the information secure untill you stop responding & then we will send it..

Suppose if by any chance I happen to miss their mails,,,,Then they will make me dead during my lifetime itself by sending vital information to all....:rolleyes:

[Nazreen]

It's a nice concept but same as Fergal, I also wouldn't use it. I'd rather list down all my userids and passwords and keep them in a safe. The reason I wouldn't use it is that I'm not too sure if my passwords are safe with them or any other online company for that matter. Even if they're already certified to be secure, there might still be some of their staff or ex-staff who might take advantage of this very valuable info.

[scifi]

Exactly, right hit point Nazreen..Ok it might be possible that top level management would do every effort in keeping them safe but what is the guarantee that information will remain safe with them & they will not use such passwords & other information for their own benefit....,,...As you know Human Behavior is very unpredictable in nature...

[ShawnLim]

Wow, this is a fancy website.
Who own this website?

[Kay]

Hmm, I don't get the security argument at all I'm afraid. That's the same for any company you deal with online - or offline, even. There's always the chance some employee will do something they shouldn't with sensitive information.

What if no one has the combination to your safe, Nazreen ? ;) If you're going to give them that, you may as well just hand them the list. I guess it all boils down to who we trust with the information and just as importantly, can we trust them not to lose or misplace it.

See if this article changes your mind guys on whether it's useful or not. I still like it. :D


Peter Vogel, in Tampa, Fla., was never able to reach all of his stepson Nathan’s online friends after the boy died last year at age 13 during an epileptic seizure.

A few years earlier, someone had hacked into one of the boy’s accounts, so Vogel, a computer administrator, taught Nathan to choose passwords that couldn’t be easily guessed. He also taught the boy not to write passwords down, so Nathan left no trail to follow.

Vogel himself has a trusted friend who knows all his important login information. As he points out, having access to a person’s e-mail account is the most important thing, because many Web site passwords can be retrieved through e-mail.

Vogel joked that he hoped the only reason his friend would be called on to use his access within “the next hundred years or so” would be if Vogel forgets his own passwords.

But, he said, “as Nathan has proven, anything can happen any time, even if you’re only 13.”

Article. (http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/lastwrites/14640)

[Fergal]

Hmm, I don't get the security argument at all I'm afraid. That's the same for any company you deal with online - or offline, even. There's always the chance some employee will do something they shouldn't with sensitive information...

The difference in this case is that you are giving one company all of your passwords and they could do a lot of damage with that.

Most of us have heard of high profile security breaches that resulted in personal data being stolen from very reputable companies, but at least they only got your information for one service. If your data was stolen from Death Switch the theft would result in all of your online data and passwords being compromised.

It's also worth noting that you should use a different password for every service you use. If someone finds one of your passwords you don't want them getting access to all of your online accounts.

[Taborri]

Seriously, if a person died, his or her relatives wound be very...very sad. This is not good to imagine.

[pendelton]

"Hi, we are sending you this email to inform you that your husband/wife/mother/father/brother/sister has died, and here is the information to all their accounts online."

[Kay]

The difference in this case is that you are giving one company all of your passwords and they could do a lot of damage with that.

Most of us have heard of high profile security breaches that resulted in personal data being stolen from very reputable companies, but at least they only got your information for one service. If your data was stolen from Death Switch the theft would result in all of your online data and passwords being compromised.

It's also worth noting that you should use a different password for every service you use. If someone finds one of your passwords you don't want them getting access to all of your online accounts.

Ahh I see what you mean now! Thanks for the clarification Fergal, and a good tip there too.

Ok, I know when I'm outnumbered LOL. I'll agree to disagree. :D

[CLSbrunette]

This is actually a good idea except that I still have some small issues regarding information stored on the net. There is still the possibility of your password falling on the wrong hands before you die. I even have a friend who's accounts were accessed by someone and she never told anyone about her password. If their are a lot of important information in the net that you want your family to open after you die. I think it is better if you give the password to some of your close relatives before anything happens to you. I still believe it would be much safer that way.

[Nazreen]

...I even have a friend who's accounts were accessed by someone and she never told anyone about her password.

Did your friend go to an internet cafe when she said that someone accessed her password? She might have forgotten to delete the cache when she logged off or there might have been some keylogger software that was installed in the machine that she used. Aside from that, her wireless connection from home might not be secured or encrypted.

I guess that most of the members here have concerns on security. There really wouldn't be any guarantee that they'll send the passwords to your family when you die. There's also no guarantee that your password is safe with them as this is not even a government website.

[DEADMAN]

I'm little surpised to see this kind of service.

Actually, this makes me feel someone is knowing my passwords. And they may hack up my important files or paypal money etc.

Giving your password to internet isn't good, let somebody trusted know whom you intend to give after you die.

[Doubtfullymon]

Hello all.
This is really a nice idea, but I think the passwords for valuable or sensitive data would rather be written and sealed and put in a bank or locker under some protection were you believe it's not shown to the public. This site may not be confidential or may not have high security features to protect their customer from fraudlent activities, but not bad idea really.

[neo666]

it is a good concept, but personally i would not be very keen to use this service without waiting some time at least as there are security issues to be sorted out in such a site.If it gets verisign protected signature, then it will surely do well!

[monijam]

Not my cup of tea! I hate to have someone else knowing these personal details, will surely keep me jittery if i know someone has all the details! but some people may find it interesting