Passwords and passcodes

[Murdochcat]

For the 2nd time in 5 years I’m having to sort out the affairs of a single relative.

Both left wills - so all good there

Neither left any notes of passwords or pass codes - so more very good stuff useless. What a waste of my time and products that could be used in the future.

 

[Wayners]

I've got a relative to write it all down in a book.
Take chances.
Book is in the dinning room draw.
Whatever...

For those worried.
Start every password with 1.
Don't write that in the book though. That way without knowing every password starts with 1 the information in the book is useless.

 

[fillyboy]

I always use ********.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I always use ********.

That's spooky! So do I.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Most websites should have a procedure for executors or relatives to inform them that someone has died. Google the website and the word deceased.

You'll need the death certificate.

I wouldn't want my relatives to leave me their passwords, you might see things you didn't want to know. Other relatives may have a snoop for gossip purposes.

PCs and phones can be securely wiped without knowing their details.

 

[morqthana]

I've got a relative to write it all down in a book.
Take chances.
Book is in the dinning room draw.
Whatever...

For those worried.
Start every password with 1.
Don't write that in the book though. That way without knowing every password starts with 1 the information in the book is useless.

Disclaimer - I've never used a password manager, so I cannot comment on how much better that would be.

For ones you need to remember, write them down. Do not write down that you then ROT47 the 'password' to become the actual one you use.

So, for example, 'Pa55w0rd' actually becomes '!2ddH_C5'. Doesn't help with brute-force attacks but it hampers dictionary ones, or guessing.

Or write down reminders that mean something to you but not a stranger. e.g. reg numbers of cars you've owned in the past. Addresses which you (without documenting that you do) turn into What Three Words.

For the "In the event of my death" ones, don't put them in a book - seal the sheet(s) of paper in an envelope, and lodge it with a family member or trusted friend. Or something I've wondered about, but never looked into - if you get an IP68 USB stick, can you freeze it?

Password Strength

xkcd.com

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

You'll be dead, so definitely won't care.

The world can cope with people dying and not telling someone their passwords.

There are huge risks in writing down passwords. If your trusted relative has a dodgy friend or gets burgled and they take your special passwords list then your bank will definitely not cover your losses when all your money vanishes. If you make it too complex (e.g. the above post), then you may as well not bother, as nobody will work it out.

What would help would be to leave details of any savings, investments etc. Or just ensure you blow it on yourself before you're dead.

 

[morqthana]

The world can cope with people dying and not telling someone their passwords.

Individuals can't necessarily.

There are huge risks in writing down passwords. If your trusted relative has a dodgy friend or gets burgled and they take your special passwords list then your bank will definitely not cover your losses when all your money vanishes.

I guess it depends on the life you lead, and whether it has dodgy friends in it or not.

If you make it too complex (e.g. the above post), then you may as well not bother, as nobody will work it out.

Nothing I suggested was too complex. And if you read it again you'll see the things I suggested were to help people with their own passwords, not for other people to be able to work them out.

 

[footprints]

Certainly a potential headache with so much banking and savings done on line these days.
Best to download some paperwork so relations at least know the account exists.

 

[Ihavenojob]

I use what they tell me to use-astrongpassword

 

[morqthana]

I use what they tell me to use-astrongpassword

2DEC@?8A2DDH@C5

 

[foxhole]

I use sentences , easier for me to remember .
Example L0L0icaqi82q4ap.
Read each character to make a sentence.

 

[blup]

My passwords are in a password protected document

 

[big-all]

For the 2nd time in 5 years I’m having to sort out the affairs of a single relative.

Both left wills - so all good there

Neither left any notes of passwords or pass codes - so more very good stuff useless. What a waste of my time and products that could be used in the future.

far far more important is to know active or old accounts as in old so no value or no need to contact as closed or inactive
my father like me used to use a paper pad with all accounts but never took the time to mark as closed /inactive/empty or other description so when he died as executors we chose to get 6 copies off the death certificate and 6 off the powers off attorney [or whatever it was called ]certificate and sent both off by default in case needed with the covering letter " we big all+1+2 as the executors request you to provide any information off any accounts held and any money held by big all senior and refund any amounts to the executors or give instructions off what is required to free up funds "
now about 70% where redundant but without checking you dont know

as an aside we chose to "forget to tell the tsb" in a timely matter deliberately by about 2 weeks longer than normal so four weeks to allow enough funds to be moved to be available for the next few weeks as you must tell the state the council pension provider utility provider banks in a timely fashion where all accounts are frozen and deactivated until probate is sorted where at this stage debts and rebates will be added to or paid out from the final estate

now this was about 14 to 18 years ago so may be both very different now and my memories may be a bit wrong about full procedure

 

[Justin Passing]

I've been going through my late wife's accounts/holders. As she had a lot, it's taking me a long time. There's no rush, they don't evaporate.
None of them has asked for a password.
One wanted (even ) MY birth certificate though I've had an account with them for 40 odd years, but for most it's just the death certificate and/or Letters of Administration.
In my case it's simple, so the lack of a will made almost no difference.

For passwords I combine a nonsense word split, say "flys watter" with an old car registration number I can always call to mind.
I use the same "word" a lot but with a different car. The old Escort ABC123Z generates the password. Add the same specials always, say !*.
flysABC123Zwatter!*
and the reminder I can write down freely, (I keep a photo on the phone)
is
flyESCORT for First National Bank

Another reminder might be
Binhonda for Barclays (using say "blueb ird" as an often-used one)
etc
You only need a few "words". works for me!