View Full Version : What happens with your data when you die?
Just read an interesting article in a PC magazine. The gist of the article is about thinking through what happens to the data on your PC when you die. It was also apparent from this research that companies had also not thought through this.
For example, if you were to die suddenly tomorrow would your partner be able to get into your PC and
a) get a list of your contacts to organise a funeral?
b) be able to access the past 5 years family photos?
c) would they be able to get access to your Paypal account where you have several hundred of pounds worth of goods you just sold?
Or wouldn't they get past the login password? Do they know about encrytped hard drives? etc
Have you thought through this scenario?
zing_deleted
06-06-2007, 15:23
well everything I own can be sold for my daughter . All my pics are backed up to dvd and money issues will be dealt with the legal system while the good old government take their chunk. For me it dont matter nothing on here that would be of use
superbiatch
06-06-2007, 15:25
This sounds like a possible business opening here Salu. Obviously people don't want anyone accessing their personal stuff,but would they pay for someone to hold their information in case the worst happened? :confused:
joglynne
06-06-2007, 16:18
My husband, the 'Technophobic Luddite', would have no idea what so ever how to access any thing that required that he do more than switch it on. :D He would not be able to access any data held on my computer, would hand wash any item needing cleaning. Would definitely never work the V+ and the neighbours would need to take cover if he ever decided to used the combination microwave oven instead of the Arga. :D
Luckily we have a son who understands his Father's weak spots ;) and I always make sure that he has up to date access codes for anything that would be needed. I also back up every single thing possible and keep all the discs in our safe.
A couple of generations ago it would be the little woman who was left floundering when the man in the relationship was no longer there, My husband would in no way flounder but it this has made me think about what over safeguards I may have to set up.
I too can see this being a lucrative business opening for a firm that has a reputation for data protection and who could deal with the ongoing need to allow changes in the data it protected.
superbiatch
06-06-2007, 16:24
I too can see this being a lucrative business opening for a firm that has a reputation for data protection and who could deal with the ongoing need to allow changes in the data it protected.
50/50 joglynne ? ;)
I'm going to patent it now :p
joglynne
06-06-2007, 18:55
I just wish that I had the business savvy to be able to take on a project that could be so interesting and had the potential to be sooooooooo big.:D
As most of the action would be computer based, it would be fun if it could be included in one of the computer generated alternative worlds and developed on the lines of a virtual reality banking facility where you could update your information and details as needed.
I just wish that I had the business savvy to be able to take on a project that could be so interesting and had the potential to be sooooooooo big.:D
As most of the action would be computer based, it would be fun if it could be included in one of the computer generated alternative worlds and developed on the lines of a virtual reality banking facility where you could update your information and details as needed.
when my dad died last year my mum had so many problems getting access to things. I think wifes or husbands have the right to take over the data but you have to convince each company seperatley, which isnt a nice job when uve just lost someone :(
joglynne
06-06-2007, 19:23
If all the information could be held in one place it would be fairly simple, I imagine, for you to give some form of advance permission of disclosure. It wouldn't release any funds etc.. but it could at the very least help identify them.
Windows login password, no problem to get round that.
Windows encryption could be more difficult without the key, as could any other encryption method, otherwise little point in encrypting.
But when I'm gone, doubt that I will worry about things like that!
But when I'm gone, doubt that I will worry about things like that!
I was going to say that. It's just 0s and 1s... :shrug:
Raistlin
06-06-2007, 19:51
Luckily I know enough (ahem) 'security professionals' that I wouldn't have to worry too much, in the event of my untimely demise they could gain access to my systems etc if my partner needed them to.
A colleague of mine has entrusted me with the admin passwords for all of his systems to guard against this very eventuality though.
Luckily I know enough (ahem) 'security professionals' that I wouldn't have to worry too much, in the event of my untimely demise they could gain access to my systems etc if my partner needed them to.
A colleague of mine has entrusted me with the admin passwords for all of his systems to guard against this very eventuality though.
Well I dont have anything intresting on my computer as Im still pretty cautious about using online payments, I only use paypal online.
apart from a nice big mp3 collection i dont think theres anything any of my family would want let alone need :D
:angel:
feel free to take the mickey now for living in the stone ages lol
Raistlin
06-06-2007, 20:08
[...]
feel free to take the mickey now for living in the stone ages lol
Wouldn't dream of it ;)
Wouldn't dream of it ;)
All i know is I want all my blank DVDs to be cremated with me.
that way at least they got to be burnt
:monkey:
(I found the russ abbot joke book can you tell? :D)
greencreeper
06-06-2007, 23:11
I'm dead. In addition to looking dead, I will also look like I don't care - because I don't :D
I do worry about the gay porn stash. Recall the scene from QAF where that guy overdosed and killed himself - his friends cleaned the flat of anything that might upset his parents. Wish I had such friends. I was thinking of maybe creating a program to trash the disk, and schedule it to run weekly - just have to remember to re-schedule it. But it was too risky - might forget knowing me.
joglynne
06-06-2007, 23:30
Forget about trashing your gay porn stash greencreeper. Hide the photos of you in the fishnets and feather boa they're the ones you need to worry about.:D
greencreeper
06-06-2007, 23:42
Forget about trashing your gay porn stash greencreeper. Hide the photos of you in the fishnets and feather boa they're the ones you need to worry about.:D
Oh she has those - shows them to people where she works, "That's my son". God only knows what they must think. A mother's love huh :p: :D
when my dad died last year my mum had so many problems getting access to things. I think wifes or husbands have the right to take over the data but you have to convince each company seperatley, which isnt a nice job when uve just lost someone :(
Sorry to hear that, I hope you and mum are doing OK..
Sorry to hear that, I hope you and mum are doing OK..
It was pretty tough, especially towards the end, and I never thought Id have to deal with either of my parents dying while Im still in my mid 20s.
but life is all about ups and downs so you just deal with it i suppose.:(
And my mum has been really strong, im proud of her.
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