Leaving passwords behind: why a note in a drawer isn't enough
You don't leave passwords behind by writing them on a note in a drawer, in a diary, or in a Word document on your computer. It may seem like a simple solution, but in practice it's unsafe and unreliable: anyone who finds the note can access it, while your loved ones often don't find it in time. A safer alternative is encrypted storage that only becomes accessible when needed, and for the right person.
The short answer: record passwords in an environment that is end-to-end encrypted, link one or more trusted contacts to it, and ensure that access is only released after death or at a time you've determined in advance. That's exactly what a digital vault is for, and it saves next of kin a lot of searching in a period when they have no room for it.
The problem with a note in the drawer
A piece of paper with login details feels familiar, but it has three weak spots. It's not encrypted, so whoever finds it can immediately access your bank, email, and social media. It's not automatically updated, while you change your passwords regularly as a precaution. And the biggest risk: nobody knows for sure that it exists, or where it is. Next of kin often discover such a note months later, somewhere among old papers.
What goes wrong when nobody has access
Without passwords, next of kin often can't access important matters: an email account with subscriptions, cloud storage with photos, or a banking app needed to settle ongoing affairs. Some services offer a next-of-kin procedure, but that can take weeks and often requires official documents. Meanwhile, subscriptions continue, accounts remain open for misuse, and valuable content is sometimes lost forever. That's exactly when you wish someone could simply log in.
Encryption as an alternative
The alternative to a note is a system in which your passwords are encrypted so that not even the service provider can see them. Only when a pre-set condition is met, for example a death confirmed by a trusted buddy, is the content decrypted and made accessible to whoever you've designated. This way the information stays safe while you're alive, and is accessible when needed. If you want to know exactly how that encryption works technically, you can read about it on the page about how PSILY protects your data.
How the digital vault works
Instead of loose notes or a vulnerable Excel file, you collect in the digital vault for passwords and documents all your login details in one central, encrypted place. You don't just add passwords, but also additional instructions: which account should be closed first, which subscriptions should be cancelled, and where important documents are located. That context is at least as valuable as the password itself, because next of kin often don't know where to start.
Who gets access, and when
The strength of a digital vault lies in the combination with trusted contacts. You decide who can see which parts and under what condition. It could be upon death, but also on a specific date, or when multiple trusted buddies independently confirm that the time has come. This way you prevent one person from gaining access too early, and you ensure that the information isn't lost. The same idea underlies a digital will that you can arrange together with a notary: recording what needs to happen, and making sure it reaches the right people in time.
Start today
Leaving behind passwords doesn't have to be a complicated project. It starts with making a list of the accounts that really matter, and then storing them securely instead of keeping them on paper. If you're still unsure about the details, check the frequently asked questions about PSILY for concrete answers about access, storage, and privacy.
You can start for free today: create an account, securely store your first passwords in the digital vault, and designate your trusted contacts. That way it's all arranged, and you won't have to think about it anymore.