Ask Slashdot: How Do You Securely Store Private Information For Posterity? 257
An anonymous reader writes "In the event of my untimely demise, my wife and family will need access to all of my private data (email, phone, laptop password, SSN, etc) and financial accounts and passwords (banks, 401(k), mortgage, insurance, etc). What's the best way to securely store all that data knowing the data is somewhat volatile (e.g. password changes) and also that someone else who is not technically savvy will need to access the most up to date version of it? Suggestions include a printed copy in a safe deposit box, an encrypted file, a secure server in the cloud, or maybe a commercial product."
Envelope with your signature on the flap (Score:4, Interesting)
Allowing access only to your heirs, and only when you're dead is impossible unless you've got *lots* of money. After 9/11 and the destruction of Swiss banking secrecyt, it's probably impossible.
But you don't have that much money.
So, since as others have mentioned, law enforcement can get your stuff if they really, really want it, all you can reasonably hope for is to make your documents tamper obvious
Thus...
So, if someone tries to steam open the envelope and then reseal it, you'll notice since they won't be able to exactly line up the two halves of the envelope and thus your signature will be misaligned.
(This is a variation on the old displaced strand of hair trick.)
Re:encryption? (Score:5, Interesting)
It's not supposed to be easy. If it were easy, there'd be a healthy criminal underground taking advantage of it. The legal system isn't designed to be easily co-opted; It takes time, showing up in person, and proving your identity... and that's just to get your foot in the door. You look at court orders and lawyers as a problem, but they aren't -- they're the solution.
But go ahead and put your faith in technological solutions that require no human interaction and grant full access to everything you own, love, and are. I'm sure nothing bad will happen.