Question about suicide and computers

[Mors927]

If I kill myself in an obvious manner (I plan to hang myself from the bathroom doorknob) will cops search through my computer for clues? Should I reset my computer before I attempt?

 

[czx85]

100% should. Especially if you have family members.
I'm working on erasing my data and records recently as well. If you have any thoughts, feel free to share with me, so we can get this done better.

Different companies have different policies. For example, if you die, Microsoft would have the permission to send all of your emails as a disk to your family. But companies like Google and Facebook has policies that allows you to pick if you want all your data to be erased up on death.

 

[AnnonyBox]

If you know command line you could rig some kind of deadman switch to erase your hard drive. Personally, I just encrypt everything

 

[Tree frog]

Would destroying the computer wipe the data? I assume most stuff is on line rather than on the computer itself which is impossible or very hard to permanently delete I imagine?

 

[LastFlowers]

100% should. Especially if you have family members.
I'm working on erasing my data and records recently as well. If you have any thoughts, feel free to share with me, so we can get this done better.

Different companies have different policies. For example, if you die, Microsoft would have the permission to send all of your emails as a disk to your family. But companies like Google and Facebook has policies that allows you to pick if you want all your data to be erased up on death.

How does Microsoft have that permission? Just wondering, especially considering people have all types of different email addresses, with their own rules.
How is the manufacturer of a computer able to have a say in your emails?

I'm interested in as much information as possible on this subject, also, do you know if there is a way to back up anything you would need if the attempt failed without risking anyone digging it up?

 

[czx85]

Would destroying the computer wipe the data? I assume most stuff is on line rather than on the computer itself which is impossible or very hard to permanently delete I imagine?

I guess you can throw it away, or sell it to someone else?

 

[BlankUser]

I'm also curious. What if I ctb far from home, and my body won't be found for several days? Will they search my computer?

 

[Rayzieka]

I'd take your time carefully deleting any sensitive information that you probably shouldn't even have on there in the first place.

 

[LastFlowers]

Would destroying the computer wipe the data? I assume most stuff is on line rather than on the computer itself which is impossible or very hard to permanently delete I imagine?

If the computer is the only place the data is stored on, then yes. (If you destroy it properly).
If you have any type of cloud or virtual accounts, back up service, etc, then no.
In that case I would say to remove all traces back to such things that remain in the digital landscape, or eradicate them entirely.

 

[czx85]

How does Microsoft have that permission? Just wondering, especially considering people have all types of different email addresses, with their own rules.
How is the manufacturer of a computer able to have a say in your emails?

I'm interested in as much information as possible on this subject, also, do you know if there is a way to back up anything you would need if the attempt failed without risking anyone digging it up?

Microsoft has a policy called "next to kin" process. Within 12 months of your death, your spouse, and other family members can request to access your data:

Microsoft's Next of Kin Process - Accessing Emails

Hi Everyone, Our sibling recently passed away and to clarify some very important legal matters, the surviving family now needs access to our sibling's Microsoft emails (and their attachments). Despite

answers.microsoft.com

However, you can permanently delete your account before your death, to make sure everything is erased.

 

[LastFlowers]

I'm also curious. What if I ctb far from home, and my body won't be found for several days? Will they search my computer?

You would probably be declared a missing person and yes, in that case, they are much more likely to go through your devices than a cut and dry, obvious suicide.

 

[czx85]

I would say the best bet is to sanction the data from 3 directions:

1. physical devices. Destory/completely encrypt/sell all your electronic devices. Such as computer, phone, ipads, and more.

2. get rid of your online accounts. Facebook, all emails, browsing history, Google accounts, Instagram accounts, etc. Some of them takes months to delete, so planning ahead is important.

3. Non-erasable data. For example, phone companies might share your phone call records/text messages to police, which is most likely not avoidable. I would say try to make these as less embarrass as possible.

 

[LastFlowers]

Microsoft has a policy called "next to kin" process. Within 12 months of your death, your spouse, and other family members can request to access your data:

Microsoft's Next of Kin Process - Accessing Emails

Hi Everyone, Our sibling recently passed away and to clarify some very important legal matters, the surviving family now needs access to our sibling's Microsoft emails (and their attachments). Despite

answers.microsoft.com

However, you can permanently delete your account before your death, to make sure everything is erased.

Well that's fucked. Is there any way people can get ahead of this?
I don't really use Microsoft emails for anything too private, so I guess it doesn't really affect me, but for those it does..

It's always amazed me how the dead suddenly lose their right to privacy, if they didn't give anyone access to their shit while they were alive, then nobody should be allowed to access it once they're dead.
And a sibling, no less! That's the last person I would want having access to my devices. I don't even believe half the people's reasoning for wanting access, most of them are just curious or selfishly want more of the person once they're gone, even though what they'll find will likely confuse them more than anything, without anyone there to explain the method to the madness.

I would say the best bet is to sanction the data from 3 directions:

1. physical devices. Destory/completely encrypt/sell all your electronic devices. Such as computer, phone, ipads, and more.

2. get rid of your online accounts. Facebook, all emails, browsing history, Google accounts, Instagram accounts, etc. Some of them takes months to delete, so planning ahead is important.

3. Non-erasable data. For example, phone companies might share your phone call records/text messages to police, which is most likely not avoidable. I would say try to make these as less embarrass as possible.

Do you know how long phone companies keep that type of data? Do they just have time stamps or do they have the actual text messages?

 

[czx85]

Well that's fucked. Is there any way people can get ahead of this?
I don't really use Microsoft emails for anything too private, so I guess it doesn't really affect me, but for those it does..

It's always amazed me how the dead suddenly lose their right to privacy, if they didn't give anyone access to their shit while they were alive, then nobody should be allowed to access it once they're dead.
And a sibling, no less! That's the last person I would want having access to my devices. I don't even believe half the people's reasoning for wanting access, most of them are just curious or selfishly want more of the person once they're gone, even though what they'll find will likely confuse them more than anything, without anyone there to explain the method to the madness.

Do you know how long phone companies keep that type of data? Do they just have time stamps or do they have the actual text messages?

Yes, I think it really depends on how much the suicidal individual cares about what other thinks.
The only reason why I care, is I don't want my family to get into trouble with the one I love

 

[LastFlowers]

I'd take your time carefully deleting any sensitive information that you probably shouldn't even have on there in the first place.

I would think most of us have stuff on our devices we wouldn't want others to ever be privy to, and if not for our own privacy, then for that of anyone who had contacted us or exchanged information.
I don't think it's a matter of something that shouldn't be on there in the first place, for instance, I don't have anything illegal in my possession, but just embarrassing and humiliating and senseless to anyone who isn't me.
I just don't feel like being misinterpreted by my own words or images or having people use anything to do with me, to their sick benefit once I'm dead.
My data would be safer in the hands of a stranger (who would likely have no use or interest in it) than my own nosey, self-important relatives.
Conversely, if any of my family members suddenly died, and I had access to their devices, I would smash them before anyone else got the chance to pry, no matter how badly I might want to look myself (save, for maybe, my mother..but I still wouldn't let anyone else snoop unless they wanted their texts/pics deleted from her phone, in which case I would oblige).

Yes, I think it really depends on how much the suicidal individual cares about what other thinks.
The only reason why I care, is I don't want my family to get into trouble with the one I love

Unfortunately I care a great deal and I'm already trying to strip physical items and pictures of myself from my family's hands while I'm still alive, I don't want them having a free-for-all with anything I may accidentally leave behind. I want to erase myself as much as humanly possible, because I don't trust a single one of them to respect my wishes.
Once I'm gone, it will be all about them, not that that's any different from now, I just won't be there to protest or assert my rights.

 

[Rayzieka]

I would think most of us have stuff on our devices we wouldn't want others to ever be privy to, and if not for our own privacy

Well I mean, we probably shouldn't have that kind of stuff saved realistically because our things really arent as secure as we'd like to imagine in most cases. Even if we remain living we could have our personal images breached somehow and it would majorly suck.

 

[czx85]

Well that's fucked. Is there any way people can get ahead of this?
I don't really use Microsoft emails for anything too private, so I guess it doesn't really affect me, but for those it does..

It's always amazed me how the dead suddenly lose their right to privacy, if they didn't give anyone access to their shit while they were alive, then nobody should be allowed to access it once they're dead.
And a sibling, no less! That's the last person I would want having access to my devices. I don't even believe half the people's reasoning for wanting access, most of them are just curious or selfishly want more of the person once they're gone, even though what they'll find will likely confuse them more than anything, without anyone there to explain the method to the madness.

Do you know how long phone companies keep that type of data? Do they just have time stamps or do they have the actual text messages?

I have no idea how long they would keep the data T.T
I guess it varies from company to company

I would think most of us have stuff on our devices we wouldn't want others to ever be privy to, and if not for our own privacy, then for that of anyone who had contacted us or exchanged information.
I don't think it's a matter of something that shouldn't be on there in the first place, for instance, I don't have anything illegal in my possession, but just embarrassing and humiliating and senseless to anyone who isn't me.
I just don't feel like being misinterpreted by my own words or images or having people use anything to do with me, to their sick benefit once I'm dead.
My data would be safer in the hands of a stranger (who would likely have no use or interest in it) than my own nosey, self-important relatives.
Conversely, if any of my family members suddenly died, and I had access to their devices, I would smash them before anyone else got the chance to pry, no matter how badly I might want to look myself (save, for maybe, my mother..but I still wouldn't let anyone else snoop unless they wanted their texts/pics deleted from her phone, in which case I would oblige).

Unfortunately I care a great deal and I'm already trying to strip physical items and pictures of myself from my family's hands while I'm still alive, I don't want them having a free-for-all with anything I may accidentally leave behind. I want to erase myself as much as humanly possible, because I don't trust a single one of them to respect my wishes.
Once I'm gone, it will be all about them, not that that's any different from now, I just won't be there to protest or assert my rights.

I'm sorry that your family had made you feel this way. I feel pretty much the same way, too. I would be disgusted if they would keep my photo.

 

[ExistentialEntropy]

Personally I don't mind what people find or what they think about it once my brain shuts down. Ego stuff like that is of no consequence in the grand play of space and time.

 

[czx85]

Personally I don't mind what people find or what they think about it once my brain shuts down. Ego stuff like that is of no consequence in the grand play of space and time.

That would make things easier for you, lucky one. I have to worry about my parents and my spouse get into court.

 

[LunarPyotr]

If you want to, I could send you a bootable version of Windows 10, which allows you to run an enterprise tool that securely will erase your SSD/HDD/eMMC storage devices.
But I have to mention that you would need a 32gb USB 3.0 flash drive for that since that Windows 10 iso is loaded with a lot of tools.

If you don't know how to burn an iso to an USB flash drive, I could also write you a little guide that will teach you how to do that :)

 

[All Things Must Pass]

If you want to, I could send you a bootable version of Windows 10, which allows you to run an enterprise tool that securely will erase your SSD/HDD/eMMC storage devices.
But I have to mention that you would need a 32gb USB 3.0 flash drive for that since that Windows 10 iso is loaded with a lot of tools.

If you don't know how to burn an iso to an USB flash drive, I could also write you a little guide that will teach you how to do that :)

How does this differ from just resetting?

 

[diyCTB]

If you know command line you could rig some kind of deadman switch to erase your hard drive. Personally, I just encrypt everything

How is this possible without attaching heart beat tracker to your heart that would transmit a signal to wipe all your devices once heart stops beating?

 

[All Things Must Pass]

How is this possible without attaching heart beat tracker to your heart that would transmit a signal to wipe all your devices once heart stops beating?

Back up your data in case the attempt fails.

 

[LunarPyotr]

How does this differ from just resetting?

Resetting with erase the data but it will still be recoverable. Even if you use the secure wipe function of Windows 10, the data still can be recovered with most of those enterprise grade paid software.
I tested it out and I could recover like 70% of the content, the Windows still couldn't boot but that didn't prevent me from browsing the data and I see a lot people on eBay, also trust Windows 10 but I could always get a lot of data recovered.

 

[diyCTB]

Back up your data in case the attempt fails.

How do I prevent backed up data from being found and accessed by others?

 

[LunarPyotr]

How do I prevent backed up data from being found and accessed by others?

Get a NextCloud/OpenCloud account, buy the 1month package and disable automatic payment.
If you don't pay, your server will be gone and data erased..


What is NextCloud/OpenCloud?
It's something like Google Drive but without the government backdoor.

Eventually an Mega account could be great too but remember to participate in Mega's user experience program in order to get free 50gb storage instead the 15gb..

 

[diyCTB]

@LunarPyotr Do OneDrive, Dropbox and Box have government backdoor too?

 

[LunarPyotr]

@LunarPyotr Do OneDrive, Dropbox and Box have government backdoor too?

I don't really know about Dropbox or Box Cloud but OneDrive has backdoor.

If you don't have any sensitive data, I could help you to get an unlimited Google Drive account which is anonymous and cheap since some the guy who sells it, created a fake university and universities have unlimited gdrive and OneDrive accounts for their students :P
Those Accounts are really cheap and I had one for more than a year till it got disabled

 

[http-410]

@Observer:

I think it makes sense to encrypt the data first, e.g. in a VeraCrypt container.

You can also encrypt the data medium on which you want to save the container with VeraCrypt and/or create a hidden volume. I'd recommend a local data medium, i.e. a stick or a hard disk. For the backup I'd use different passwords - for the container itself and the data medium. They should also be stored locally in a password manager. I'd never upload anything personal to a cloud, even encrypted.

 

[diyCTB]

@http-410 Why you would not upload encrypted personal data to cloud? I used to upload personal data password-protected with Winrar.