MILLIONS of iPhone and Android owners need to get their affairs in order in the “digital afterlife”.
That’s advice from a top cybersecurity expert, urging internet users to prepare for the future.
A useful tip is to set up a Facebook legacy contactCredit: Facebook
We spoke to Craig Lurey, co-founder of Keeper Security, who revealed a three-step checklist everyone should follow.
“The internet is a gold mine for hackers, dead or alive,” cyber expert Craig told The Sun.
“Did you know that the average person spends up to six hours a day on the internet?
“Your online accounts, passwords, interactions and digital footprint make up your digital heritage.
“This can include photos, devices, cryptocurrencies, credit card points, airline miles, medical records and more.”
“Although it may seem dour to think about it while you’re still alive, it’s worth planning what happens when you die.
“Not least to protect whatever online endeavors you’ve made in your life, but also to keep your loved ones safe in case those ‘ghost accounts’ become vulnerable to hackers after you die.”
Here is Craig’s official advice to all iPhone, Android and computer users…
#1 Conduct a digital inventory
As with your physical legacy, take stock of your online presence, credentials, and digital legacy.
This includes goodwill like loyalty cards and liabilities like recurring subscriptions.
#2 Appoint a digital heir
Think about how to make the process of transferring all your credentials and assets seamless.
You should keep digital versions of important documents like wills, deeds, and tax returns safe in a safe place like a password manager.
#3 Come up with a plan
By creating a digital estate plan, you ensure that you make provisions for how a digital heir should manage each asset.
For example, their plan may specify which accounts they should close, leave open, or ban, and for how long.
A digital estate plan protects your online identity and protects against malicious attacks from cyber criminals.
When it comes to social media accounts, there are different levels of what platforms allow you, e.g. B. Assigning a legacy contact.
For example, Twitter and Instagram don’t have legacy contact options, while Facebook allows a specific legacy contact who has limited access to your account.
Google allows up to ten people to be notified in the event of an inactive account after a certain period of time, and Microsoft allows you to designate a next of kin.
In addition, financial companies and e-commerce sites require a variety of personal documentation and proof from your digital heirs that they have a legitimate right to the accounts.
Many of these options require your digital heir to know your account details, personal documents like passport information, birth certificates, etc.
Using a dedicated password manager where you can store all your details, login credentials and even copies of personal documents in a secure vault makes this a lot easier.
While different apps have their procedures for your next of kin, it can be difficult to keep track of all of your online assets.
A password manager helps you manage your credentials and only share them with the right people.
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