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How to ensure your passwords don’t die with you

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How to ensure your passwords don’t die with you

As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, we need to consider how it affects our legacy and our loved ones. There are some uncomfortable but necessary end-of-life conversations we should all have with our loved ones, but passwords usually aren’t one of them.

Yet with so much of our professional, personal and financial life online, it is more important now to include how to handle your digital life in those conversations.  

That’s what Ashley is tackling right now as it relates to her husband, and this is the question she has for us.

“My spouse still writes his passwords down so I can access them in case of his death. I’m reading today about password managers and thinking we should do that, but if one of us passes, can the other access it? Thank you. What other ways can we prep for an unexpected death?” Ashley, Fairhope, AL

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A couple discussing digital life (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

This is not an easy topic to discuss, but it is a necessary one. Having access to necessary accounts can be one less hurdle to face should you bear the loss of a loved one. While it may not be the most joyful conversation to have, we’re really glad you brought this issue up, Ashley.

Figuring out a strategy for what happens to your passwords can be helpful not just when someone passes, but also if you’re unable to access your accounts because of medical procedures or long-term travel. Below are several strategies to continue to protect your information while sharing it effectively and safely.

MORE: THE VERY WORST AND WEAKEST PASSWORDS OF 2023

How to use password managers to plan for death and emergencies

Password managers are useful tools that generate and store unique passwords for your online accounts, making them more secure than using the same password or writing them down. They also have features that allow you to share your passwords with trusted people in case of an emergency or death. 

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You can choose who will inherit your password manager account and what passwords they can access. You can also set temporary access for situations like medical procedures or travel, which will expire after a certain time. This way, you can ensure that your digital assets are protected and accessible by the right people.

AI CAN GUESS YOUR PASSWORD WITH UNPRECEDENTED ACCURACY BY ‘LISTENING’ TO KEYSTROKES

Note: Having access to someone’s banking account login and passwords is not the same thing as having the right to access another person’s money. You would need to get in touch with the financial institution and follow the appropriate protocol for handling any transfers and account terminations. Often, one would need to be listed as a joint account holder or beneficiary of the account.

ARE YOUR PASSWORDS SAFE?

When creating passwords, come up with strong and unique ones  

It’s always a good reminder to create strong passwords for your accounts and devices and avoid using the same password for multiple online accounts. A password manager will securely store and generate complex passwords. It will help you to create unique and difficult-to-crack passwords that a hacker could never guess. 

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Second, it also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and fills passwords in for you when you’re logging into an account so that you never have to remember them yourself. The fewer passwords you remember, the less likely you will be to reuse them for your accounts.

What qualities should I look for in a password manager?

When it comes to choosing the best password manager for you, here are some of my top tips.

  • Deploys secure
  • Works seamlessly across all of your devices
  • Creates unique complicated passwords that are different for every account
  • Automatically populates login and password fields for apps and sites you revisit
  • Has a browser extension for all browsers you use to automatically insert passwords for you
  • Allows a fail-safe in case the primary password is ever lost or forgotten
  • Checks that your existing passwords remain safe and alerts you if ever compromised
  • Uses two-factor authentication security

Get more details about my best expert-reviewed password managers with digital inheritance features of 2024.

Samsung device showing login screen  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Create a digital inheritance plan with password managers and other tools

In addition to utilizing a password manager for everyday life as well as in case of emergency, there is something to be said about creating a concrete digital inheritance plan. If you’re using a password manager, you should discuss and leave clear instructions on how to gain access to the account, as there are many fail-safe measures in place that would make gaining access to the account after passing challenging.

Regardless of whether you are using a third-party service or not, you should leave a specific outline of what to do with your online accounts and digital assets like photos and videos, in the event of your passing.

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MORE: HOW TO UNLOCK AN ANDROID AND WINDOWS PC WHEN THE OWNER PASSES AWAY

How to memorialize or delete your social media accounts when you’re gone

In the setting section of most social media accounts, you have the option to select memorialization. If you use Meta to manage your Instagram and Facebook accounts, you can find it under Account Ownership and Control. You can choose a person to manage your memorialized profile or permanently delete your profile after you pass.

Facebook account login  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: HOW TO BE REMEMBERED FOREVER ON FACEBOOK  

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Password managers can make this lifetime and the life of those you leave behind much easier by providing a way to easily transfer access to important online accounts to your trusted contacts. It’s uncomfortable for most to begin, but surprisingly easy once you’re prepared. Having clear and detailed discussions, as well as leaving written instructions of how you’d like your digital life to be handled in the worst-case scenario, will give you and your family the peace of mind everyone deserves.

How do you plan to handle your digital life after death? Have you considered using a password manager or other tools to share your passwords and online accounts with your loved ones? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter 

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

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Technology

YouTube’s mobile app finally lets you share timestamped videos

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YouTube’s mobile app finally lets you share timestamped videos

YouTube is making some changes that might affect how you share videos from the mobile app. From the app, you can finally share videos from a specific timestamp, which will make it easier to point someone to a part of a video you might want them to see while you’re on your phone. However, this change will replace the Clips feature that lets you make a shareable clip from a video.

You’ll still be able to watch any Clips that you’ve already made. But moving forward, “the ability to set an end time or include a custom description when sharing will no longer be available,” YouTube says. The company notes that while clipping is “important way for creators to reach new audiences,” it says that “a number of third-party tools with advanced clipping features and authorized creator programs are now available to do this across different video platforms.”

The company originally introduced the Clips feature in 2021.

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Meta employee accused of accessing private images

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Meta employee accused of accessing private images

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When you upload a photo to Facebook, you expect it to stay private unless you decide otherwise. That expectation just took a hit after a former employee of Meta was accused of accessing thousands of private images.

According to details confirmed by the company, the London-based employee allegedly created a program to bypass internal safeguards. Investigators say this may have allowed access to about 30,000 private Facebook images that were not meant to be viewed.

The individual is now under criminal investigation and is out on bail as authorities continue to review the case. Here’s how investigators say the access may have happened.

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META SMART GLASSES PRIVACY CONCERNS GROW
 

A former Meta employee is accused of accessing thousands of private Facebook images, raising new concerns about how user data is protected. (Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images)

How the Meta employee allegedly accessed private images

Authorities believe the employee may have written a script to get around Meta’s internal detection systems. In simple terms, the system that should flag unusual behavior may not have caught the activity right away. This detail matters because large tech platforms rely on monitoring tools to detect suspicious access patterns. When those checks are bypassed, it raises questions about how internal access is controlled. 

The investigation is being handled by the cybercrime unit of the Metropolitan Police in London. At the same time, security experts often point out that insider threats are difficult to eliminate. Even strong systems can be tested when someone inside the company misuses access.

What Meta says about the employee investigation

Meta says it discovered the improper access more than a year ago and took action after identifying the issue. 

“Protecting user data is our top priority,” a Meta spokesperson told CyberGuy. “After discovering improper access by an employee over a year ago, we immediately terminated the individual, notified users, referred the matter to law enforcement and enhanced our security measures. We are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.”

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Legal risks in the Meta private images case

Data protection experts say cases like this often come down to both intent and safeguards. If an employee accesses personal data without authorization, that can lead to criminal charges under data protection and computer misuse laws. However, the company’s responsibility depends on the protections it had in place. If proper safeguards existed, the focus usually remains on the individual. 

If not, regulators may consider penalties or legal claims against the company. The Information Commissioner’s Office, the U.K.’s data privacy watchdog, has acknowledged the incident. The agency stressed that social media users should be able to trust how their personal information is handled. 

Why the Meta investigation is drawing attention now

This case is unfolding at a time when scrutiny of major tech platforms is already high. Recent legal challenges have raised broader concerns about how companies protect users and manage risk. That context adds weight to this investigation. It reflects a larger conversation about privacy and accountability in the tech industry. As more people rely on digital platforms, expectations of data protection continue to rise. Incidents like this tend to reinforce those concerns.

META REPORTEDLY BUILDING AN AI VERSION OF MARK ZUCKERBERG TO INTERACT WITH COMPANY EMPLOYEES

Mark Zuckerberg walks through the U.S. Capitol after a meeting on March 26, 2026. Investigators in London say a former Meta employee may have used a script to bypass safeguards and view about 30,000 private Facebook images. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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Simple ways to protect your private photos

Even though this case involves an insider, there are still simple steps you can take to better protect your photos and limit who can see them.

1) Check your Facebook privacy settings

You cannot control what happens inside a company, but you can limit how much of your personal content is exposed. Start by reviewing your Facebook privacy settings.

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacy > Settings > Audience and visibilityPostsWho can see your future posts > select Friends (or a custom audience) > Save

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacySettingsAudience and visibility section > PostsWho can see your future posts > select Friends (or a custom audience) > Done

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2) Review older photos and albums

Next, go through older photos and albums. Many people forget that photos shared years ago may still be visible under outdated settings.

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacySettingsAudience and visibilityPostsLimit who can see past postsLimit who can see past postsLimit past posts > confirm

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile pictureSettings & privacySettingsAudience and visibility  section > Posts > Limit who can see past posts > Limit past posts > confirm

And check individual albums:

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Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: Go to your profilePhotosAlbums > select an album > tap Edit (top right) > Who can see this? > choose who can see it > Done

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: click your name on the left > Photos > Albums > select an album > click the three dots > Edit album > choose who can see it > Done

Not all albums can be changed, and some system albums have limited privacy options. 

3) Be careful what you upload

It also helps to limit what you upload in the first place. Sensitive images, documents or anything you would not want widely seen may be better kept off social platforms entirely.

META AI EDITS YOUR CAMERA ROLL FOR BETTER FACEBOOK POSTS
 

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Authorities are investigating whether a former Meta employee improperly accessed private Facebook photos that users never intended to share. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

4) Turn on account activity alerts and two-factor authentication

You can also enable alerts for unusual account activity. While this case involves an insider, account alerts still help you spot unauthorized access to your own profile. You can also turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) to add another layer of protection to your account.

How to turn on account activity alerts

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
FacebookMenuSettings & privacySettingsAccounts CenterPassword and securitySecurity Checkupreview and complete recommended security steps

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacySettingsAccounts CenterPassword and security > Security Checkupreview and complete recommended security steps

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How to turn on two-factor authentication

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacySettingsPassword and securityTwo-factor authentication > choose text message or authentication appfollow prompts

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile pictureSettings & privacy > Settings > Password and securityTwo-factor authentication > choose text message or authentication appfollow prompts

5) Check third-party app access

Take a few minutes to review which apps have access to your Facebook account. Third-party apps can sometimes hold more access than you expect.

(Settings may vary depending on device and app version)

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Mobile (iPhone/Android):
Facebook: MenuSettings & privacy > SettingsApps and websitesActive > tap an app > Remove

Desktop (Mac/PC):
Facebook: Profile picture (top right) > Settings & privacySettingsApps and websitesActive > click an appRemove

If you don’t see any apps listed or options like “Active,” it likely means you don’t have any connected apps to review.

What this means to you

If you use Facebook or similar platforms, this situation highlights something many people overlook. Even with strong safeguards, insider access still exists. Employees often need certain permissions to keep systems running. That creates a level of trust between users and the company. 

When that trust is broken, it can feel personal. At the same time, there are still steps you can take on your end. Reviewing your privacy settings, limiting what you share and enabling security features can reduce how much of your content is exposed. It also shows why detection and response matter. 

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In this case, Meta says it identified the issue, removed the employee and notified users. Those steps can limit damage, but they do not erase the concern. The bigger takeaway is that privacy depends on both technology and human behavior. Systems can reduce risk, but they cannot remove it completely.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com    

Kurt’s key takeaways

This case is still under investigation, and no final legal outcome has been announced. Even so, it highlights a risk many people rarely think about. Most privacy conversations focus on hackers. This situation is different. It shows how access from inside a company can create its own set of risks. Meta says it acted quickly by removing the employee, notifying users and strengthening its systems. Those steps matter, but they also show how much trust users place in the platforms they use every day. The reality is simple. Once you upload something online, you are trusting more than just the technology behind it.

If someone inside a company can access private data, how much control do you really have over what you share online? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame

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Govee’s new LED Lightwall comes with its own self-standing frame

Govee has announced an upgraded version of its hanging Curtain Lights Pro that can instead be used nearly anywhere you have access to an outlet or large battery. At $449.99, Govee’s new Lightwall is more than twice as expensive as the $199.99 Curtain Lights Pro, but comes with more LEDs in a denser array and a self-standing aluminum frame that can be assembled in 10 to 15 minutes without the need for any tools.

When hung from its stand the Lightwall measures 7.9 feet wide and 5.3 feet tall and features 1,536 color-changing LEDs spaced about 1.96 inches apart in a 48 x 32 grid. It’s water-resistant, and with the ability to refresh at up to 35fps the Lightwall almost sounds like it could be used as a personal backyard Jumbotron, but it’s not designed for watching TV or movies.

The Lightwall instead connects to Govee’s Home app where you can select from over 200 preset scenes and simple animations, choose from 10 different music modes that generate lighting patterns matched to beats, or synchronize its colors to other Govee lighting products to create a cohesive mood.

The app can also use AI to create custom animated GIFs from simple text prompts, or you can take matters into your own hands and create custom designs by sketching in the app with your finger and stacking up to 30 layers of doodles. The Lightwall is smart home compatible and supports Matter, too, so in addition to managing it through Govee’s app you can control it using voice commands through smart devices with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

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