Getting rid of things you don't want people to see

[freefrommybody]

I spent a while the other day erasing the journal entries on my devices, and clearing some other things I wouldn't want my family to find if, or when, they search through my stuff. Has anyone else done something like this, or are you planning to do so?

A lot of what I do is centered around the idea of me committing suicide in the future, I've realized. I try to be organized and not to keep too much clutter around, not just because that's my personal preference, but because I don't want others to have to deal with too much junk to clean up.

Also, regarding what other people will be left with after I die, it's a shame I don't have that much cool stuff. I at least plan to save up money to leave behind.

 

[helpfulfriendonwout]

I may have done that, if I didn't already put too much effort into digital privacy and security. Things like my search history, messages and other personal information auto delete, and this is the closest thing to a social media account that i have. But even if I didn't auto delete almost everything of importance, my devices are encyrpted behind long passwords. My family will never see what's on my devices after I'm gone unless I leave them the passwords. Encryption may be the easiest method for you to keep your family from seeing your personal information

 

[Shaqxbb]

I may have done that, if I didn't already put too much effort into digital privacy and security. Things like my search history, messages and other personal information auto delete, and this is the closest thing to a social media account that i have. But even if I didn't auto delete almost everything of importance, my devices are encyrpted behind long passwords. My family will never see what's on my devices after I'm gone unless I leave them the passwords. Encryption may be the easiest method for you to keep your family from seeing your personal information

This. Nobody has my passcodes, any of them. So I am not worried. The only thing I would want to dispose of is my drug stash, which I have securely in one place. I put important photos in a shared album so the ex will still have access to them when my device is wiped.

 

[freefrommybody]

I may have done that, if I didn't already put too much effort into digital privacy and security. Things like my search history, messages and other personal information auto delete, and this is the closest thing to a social media account that i have. But even if I didn't auto delete almost everything of importance, my devices are encyrpted behind long passwords. My family will never see what's on my devices after I'm gone unless I leave them the passwords. Encryption may be the easiest method for you to keep your family from seeing your personal information

If it's something I really want to keep for some reason, then I might use encryption. I've thought about encrypting files before, but so far, the things I don't want anyone to see have just been things not worth leaving behind for any important reason. Some people in my family are pretty tech savvy though, and I kind of expect that they could find a way around the encryption if they really wanted to.

 

[Shaqxbb]

If it's something I really want to keep for some reason, then I might use encryption. I've thought about encrypting files before, but so far, the things I don't want anyone to see have just been things not worth leaving behind for any important reason. Some people in my family are pretty tech savvy though, and I kind of expect that they could find a way around the encryption if they really wanted to.

How savvy? Seems like you might want to opt for stronger encryption.

 

[freefrommybody]

Maybe moderately savvy? They will probably be better by the time I'm ready to ctb as well.

 

[Ness]

I've got things I will be getting rid of, some physical and some on my laptop. But the rule I made for myself is that I will only do that when I've set a date. Until then I can keep everything. No one ever uses my stuff so I'm safe in that regard.

 

[uselessloser]

Ive been deleting stuff on my devices as well. And im goin to sell everything i have.

 

[exhausted]

I need to get rid of many, many journals. Stoned/drunk me can be particularly blunt in her takedowns of my parents. Would hate ma and pa to be sifting through the wreckage and find my rage burning bright post-mortem. And just generally some of my funky thoughts/trauma memories don't need to be read by humanity. Also sex stuff needs to go, ha.

 

[Dazedandconfused32]

Could anyone advise as to how to go about encrypting my phone? Also couldn't they hack it somehow if they were really tech savvy. My mother's husband is in IT and would probably know how to break in. Also does the cellphone carrier keep logs of your search history etc?

 

[LonelyLight]

I had years of handwritten diaries, I've gone over every page in black marker. All my devices are locked with pins so that should be okay.

Could anyone advise as to how to go about encrypting my phone? Also couldn't they hack it somehow if they were really tech savvy. My mother's husband is in IT and would probably know how to break in. Also does the cellphone carrier keep logs of your search history etc?

Hey, what phone have you got? I know iPhones are pretty top notch with security, they wont be able to access it. Other than that maybe factory reset? That will erase everything, I think.

 

[Flora1]

Yes I have a box of written diaries dating back 24 years. I'm not sure what to do with them as they are precious to me and feel a bit like my immortality,.. but some of the stuff in there might be bad for others to read and cause trouble.. the domestic violence I went through with my ex, affairs I've had before etc. Destroying them might be best.

 

[LonelyLight]

Yes I have a box of written diaries dating back 24 years. I'm not sure what to do with them as they are precious to me and feel a bit like my immortality,.. but some of the stuff in there might be bad for others to read and cause trouble.. the domestic violence I went through with my ex, affairs I've had before etc. Destroying them might be best.

If I were you I'd burn them or do what I did. I dont want people who didn't give a fuck to know my innermost thoughts and details of my life. And for the people who did care to realise they probably didn't know me at all.. But that's just me. It was very hard for me to destroy them, I started them aged 15, I'm 25 now, but I'm glad they are gone now, to be honest.

 

[exhausted]

Yes I have a box of written diaries dating back 24 years. I'm not sure what to do with them as they are precious to me and feel a bit like my immortality,.. but some of the stuff in there might be bad for others to read and cause trouble.. the domestic violence I went through with my ex, affairs I've had before etc. Destroying them might be best.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Maybe I will bury mine in the ground like a time capsule and 200 years from now someone will read them all and then have a stiff drink.

 

[Luchs]

I spent a while the other day erasing the journal entries on my devices, and clearing some other things I wouldn't want my family to find if, or when, they search through my stuff. Has anyone else done something like this, or are you planning to do so?

A lot of what I do is centered around the idea of me committing suicide in the future, I've realized. I try to be organized and not to keep too much clutter around, not just because that's my personal preference, but because I don't want others to have to deal with too much junk to clean up.

Also, regarding what other people will be left with after I die, it's a shame I don't have that much cool stuff. I at least plan to save up money to leave behind.

Get a really strong magnet and put it on the hard drive of your computer to erase everything on it. Burn the rest, if you have an oven.

 

[Dazedandconfused32]

I had years of handwritten diaries, I've gone over every page in black marker. All my devices are locked with pins so that should be okay.

Hey, what phone have you got? I know iPhones are pretty top notch with security, they wont be able to access it. Other than that maybe factory reset? That will erase everything, I think.

I have an iPhone and I have it password protected. When you factory reset your phone can you erase and delete your cloud data? I plan on also destroying my phone and sim card. Will this pretty much take care of things?

 

[Flora1]

If I were you I'd burn them or do what I did. I dont want people who didn't give a fuck to know my innermost thoughts and details of my life. And for the people who did care to realise they probably didn't know me at all.. But that's just me. It was very hard for me to destroy them, I started them aged 15, I'm 25 now, but I'm glad they are gone now, to be honest.

You do make some really good points xx

 

[LonelyLight]

I have an iPhone and I have it password protected. When you factory reset your phone can you erase and delete your cloud data? I plan on also destroying my phone and sim card. Will this pretty much take care of things?

You may have to delete your cloud stuff. I'm not totally sure on that one. But yes once you reset and destroy the phone and sim that should take care of things. Dont they need your email address and password to access your cloud?
I'm with samsung so unsure, sorry!

You do make some really good points xx

Hope its helpful to you x

 

[Dazedandconfused32]

You may have to delete your cloud stuff. I'm not totally sure on that one. But yes once you reset and destroy the phone and sim that should take care of things. Dont they need your email address and password to access your cloud?
I'm with samsung so unsure, sorry!

I'm sure my mother would be able to get into my email as she had to reset it before because I was in the hospital. This is my concern

 

[LonelyLight]

I'm sure my mother would be able to get into my email as she had to reset it before because I was in the hospital. This is my concern

Is it possible to change the cloud email? Create a new gmail account and set it as that?

 

[Dazedandconfused32]

Is it possible to change the cloud email? Create a new gmail account and set it as that?

Ohhh that's such a good idea, thank you so much for this and your help

 

[LonelyLight]

Ohhh that's such a good idea, thank you so much for this and your help

No problem, happy to help

 

[Shaqxbb]

It would be best to wipe your phone. They can always get in with GrayKey.

(they being law enforcement)

There's a new type of iPhone cracker available, and cops are dying to buy it

In 2016, the FBI’s legal quest to force Apple to unlock the iPhone 5c of the San Bernadino shooter brought the issue of phone encryption …

bgr.com

 

[freefrommybody]

Yes I have a box of written diaries dating back 24 years. I'm not sure what to do with them as they are precious to me and feel a bit like my immortality,.. but some of the stuff in there might be bad for others to read and cause trouble.. the domestic violence I went through with my ex, affairs I've had before etc. Destroying them might be best.

If it's really hard for you to destroy your diaries, though, have you considered burying them in some kind of locked storage container? Years and years from now they would probably still be found that way, but not by people you know, depending on where they were.

 

[Soulless_Angel]

I have a pretty secure password on my laptop but wonder whether if he took it to a laptop repair person whether they would be able to by pass it?
My phone I don't give a shit about it barely has anything on there!!

 

[freefrommybody]

It would be best to wipe your phone. They can always get in with GrayKey.

(they being law enforcement)

There's a new type of iPhone cracker available, and cops are dying to buy it

In 2016, the FBI’s legal quest to force Apple to unlock the iPhone 5c of the San Bernadino shooter brought the issue of phone encryption …

bgr.com

Honestly, anything I leave I expect to be found. If it's completely unacceptable for something to be discovered as mine, then I'll try to leave no trace of it on my devices or among my things.

 

[Flora1]

If it's really hard for you to destroy your diaries, though, have you considered burying them in some kind of locked storage container? Years and years from now they would probably still be found that way, but not by people you know, depending on where they were.

Yes I have thought of doing that. I just don't know if I could destroy them knowing how many days and experiences and emotions are recorded. It feels like destroying the fact I existed.

 

[BridgeJumper]

Im the exact opposite. Ive always been a compulsive oversharer. Nearly everyone save for some psychiatrists, policemen and people in power know I want to die. Some learn about it like 5 minutes into the first conversation.
I have cases upon cases of fucked up, explicit suicide stories and diary entries, violent drawings etc., on my laptop theres an entire folder dedicated to autopsies, suicide methods and photos and all drafts of my note and my will in both english and my native language. Drugs in plastic bags and razors and nooses stacked in corners. Photos of my self harm and videos of me dangling my legs off the bridge and saying 'Ill kill myself so hard Im dead' on my phone.
Thats pretty shameful actually. Could imagine it will cause my family a lot of pain and weirdness if any post mortem investigation ensues.
But I cant help it, thats the way I am, the greatest attention seeker of them all.
Should I empty my room and burn my stuff to the groud? xD