RSS 2.0
Issues: Leaving behind the Master Password
This became a hot issue on a few forums including ask.metafilter.com and lifehacker.com. How best do you leave behind the master password for your accounts, whether it be a password database or your email password which would allow for the user to request “lost” passwords for all your accounts?
It would seem that the best method I saw mentioned in one of the forums was to manage a password list at home in a location that is static and then reference that place in your will. For example, do you have a favorite book that you will never give away (i.e., Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard)? Then place the list at a specific location in the book (i.e., at page 214, the area code you live in). Then, add a note to your will that specifies that the password list can be found in that book at the noted page. You never have to update your will again (unless you change preferred books) and then you only have to manage the list at home by updating it in the book.
Another possibility was also given within the forums, but not directly related to this problem. Some were concerned about giving out their email password. However, it may still be necessary to access something that requires one of your passwords. There are several services (thelastemail.com, mylastemail.com, and postexpression.com to name a few) that offer to send a final email to your contact list once they are notified of your passing. If you wanted to, you could include the password information in such a message so that it goes to the proper beneficiaries without having to give out all of your information. I haven’t looked into these services, but surely you could specify several different emails to different lists which would allow for more personal, targeted messages.
Any other ideas on how to best leave a “trail” for your family to follow? Submit your ideas to stories [at] beforeyouaregone [dot] com. Also feel free to let us know if you have used any of the final email services and what your thoughts are about them.