Frequently Asked Questions

DeadSwitch is a portable encrypted USB vault paired with an automated dead man's switch. You store your important digital information -- passwords, crypto keys, financial accounts, documents, even video messages -- on an encrypted USB drive. If something happens to you, the system automatically delivers access to the people you designate.

You configure a check-in interval (every 7, 14, or 30 days). DeadSwitch sends you a simple "I'm alive" email or SMS. Click the link to confirm. If you miss multiple check-ins, the system escalates through warnings and a grace period before automatically releasing your encrypted vault keys to your designated beneficiaries.

If you have a backup USB clone (available with all tiers), you can use that instead. Pro tier users can also opt into cloud backup, which lets you restore your encrypted vault to a new USB drive. The encryption keys are derived from your master password, so the vault is useless without it.

Yes, everything is encrypted with AES-256-GCM-SIV (nonce-misuse-resistant authenticated encryption) using Argon2id key derivation. Media files use XChaCha20-Poly1305. The encryption happens entirely on your USB -- our servers never see your data in plaintext.

Absolutely. The USB vault works entirely offline for storing and managing your data. You only need internet when you want to configure the dead man's switch check-in system or sync with the optional cloud backup. The vault itself is fully self-contained on the USB.

When the dead man's switch triggers, each beneficiary receives a compassionate email with their unique decryption key and step-by-step instructions. They plug in the USB drive, enter their key, and see only the specific items you assigned to them -- nothing else.

During the warning and grace period stages, you can cancel the trigger at any time by clicking the check-in link in any email or SMS, or by logging into your dashboard. The system gives you multiple opportunities to confirm you're okay before releasing anything.

No. DeadSwitch is a one-time purchase. The Standard ($99), Pro ($149), and Family ($249) tiers all include the USB vault and dead man's switch. The only optional subscription is cloud backup for Pro users who want an extra layer of protection.

Password managers are designed for you to use daily. DeadSwitch is designed for the day you can't. It includes a true dead man's switch, per-beneficiary access control, video goodbye messages, and runs from a portable USB drive. It's not a replacement for a password manager -- it's what happens after you're gone.

Yes. The vault encryption and core security components are open source so anyone can verify the security model. We believe that for a product handling your most sensitive data after you die, transparency is not optional.