Ask HN: Suggestions for a document with passwords etc. in case sth happens to me
2•mbork_pl•5mo ago
So, I want to prepare an instruction for my family in the case I'm dead, in coma or something similar. This document will need to contain (or point to) passwords, but also services which need to be paid, things which need to be done on a regular basis, etc. Of course, I don't want to have my passwords lying around in plain text (although a sealed envelope would probably be a reasonable compromise). Do you have any good practices/suggestions here? Note: while my family is not very tech-savvy, we have friends who are (and who would be willing to help if need arises), so I am (for example) strongly considering using a secret sharing algorithm.
Comments
Bender•5mo ago
Plain text files in an envelope placed in a bank safety deposit box. Specifically list the safety deposit box in the will to minimize confusion. Family members can have the box opened by bank staff with a death certificate. they will hand the family member a key and bring them the box.
mbork_pl•5mo ago
Thanks, that's an interesting option! It requires trust in the bank (of course), but I'm not that paranoid. However, I have a feeling that it's a bit expensive - it can be cheap (say, ~$10 per month, which is not as cheap in my country as it is in the US, but still), but frankly, I'd prefer a homebrew solution.
Bender•5mo ago
In that case, multiple thumb drives because they do go bad with instructions where to download 7-zip so they do not rely on Google and to use "the family password" to open a password protected 7-zip file. Plain text file inside that. Ensure everyone in the family know what they "family password" is by making use of it for something.
Keep the thumb drive tech up to date annually just in case the tech changes and they can't figure out how to use current thumb drive tech.
Have thumb drives and instructions replicated in multiple places in the event the home burns down or is otherwise destroyed. stored with other trusted family members that live near by or even at remote locations.
Avoid clouds, cloud accounts, any system you do not control as they can be hacked, go out of business, lose your data, accounts disabled upon death, accounts closed because who knows why, etc...
mbork_pl•5mo ago
If I'd go that route, why not include that (encrypted) file on the drives themselves?
> Avoid clouds, cloud accounts, any system you do not control as they can be hacked, go out of business, lose your data, etc...
Yes, that is obvious, but still a great point. I'd probably use my VPS for that (maybe even two of them for redundancy).
Bender•5mo ago
why not include that (encrypted) file on the drives themselves?
That is what I was trying to convey. Both unencrypted instructions for where to get 7-zip, the encrypted file, and hints to what "family password" means, replicated to multiple thumb drives in the event one fails or gets corrupted. If they are using windows they may not even need to download 7-zip but one never knows.
D:\ dir
encryptd.7z
README.txt
electricant•5mo ago
Consider storing all your passwords in a password manager. I can recommend pass synchronized with git on PC and smartphone but many other services are available. Then, write your master password (or encryption key password) somewhere your family knows where to find in case of need.
This way you do not have to store the full password database in plaintext but only the main password. If you add/delete a password you do not have to print anything again.
Bender•5mo ago
mbork_pl•5mo ago
Bender•5mo ago
Keep the thumb drive tech up to date annually just in case the tech changes and they can't figure out how to use current thumb drive tech.
Have thumb drives and instructions replicated in multiple places in the event the home burns down or is otherwise destroyed. stored with other trusted family members that live near by or even at remote locations.
Avoid clouds, cloud accounts, any system you do not control as they can be hacked, go out of business, lose your data, accounts disabled upon death, accounts closed because who knows why, etc...
mbork_pl•5mo ago
> Avoid clouds, cloud accounts, any system you do not control as they can be hacked, go out of business, lose your data, etc...
Yes, that is obvious, but still a great point. I'd probably use my VPS for that (maybe even two of them for redundancy).
Bender•5mo ago
That is what I was trying to convey. Both unencrypted instructions for where to get 7-zip, the encrypted file, and hints to what "family password" means, replicated to multiple thumb drives in the event one fails or gets corrupted. If they are using windows they may not even need to download 7-zip but one never knows.