Technology

How to protect a loved one’s identity after death

Published

1 month ago

February 7, 2026

How to protect a loved one’s identity after death

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When someone you love dies, the to-do list can feel endless. There are legal steps, financial paperwork and emotional weight all happening at once. What many families do not realize is that identity protection rarely makes those lists, even though it should.

Scammers actively target the identities of people who have died. They rely on delays, data gaps and the assumption that someone else is handling it. Janet from Indiana recently reached out with a question many families quietly worry about but rarely ask.

My husband just passed away in December. There are lists upon lists of things to do to wrap up his estate, but nothing that tells me how to lock down his identity now that he’s gone so that fraudsters cannot use it. Maybe our government is efficient enough to report to all of the credit bureaus that he is deceased, but I don’t want to bet my financial security on it. We both have our credit frozen with all three agencies, but is there more that I should do? Thank you.
— Janet in Indiana

Janet’s instincts are exactly right. The system often does not work as cleanly as people expect.

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MICROSOFT CROSSES PRIVACY LINE FEW EXPECTED

Scammers often look for recently deceased names because they know systems do not update instantly and families are overwhelmed. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What the government and credit bureaus do and don’t do

When someone dies, Social Security is usually notified by the funeral home. That step helps, but it does not automatically secure a person’s financial identity.

Here is what often surprises families:

Credit bureaus are not synchronized in real time
A death notice does not instantly stop fraud attempts
Scammers specifically target recently deceased individuals
Gaps between systems create opportunities for misuse

In short, relying on automation alone leaves room for problems.

AI DEEPFAKE ROMANCE SCAM STEALS WOMAN’S HOME AND LIFE SAVINGS

Credit freezes and alerts help, but they do not stop every attempt to misuse personal information after a death. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What you’ve already done right

Before adding more steps, it matters to acknowledge what Janet already did correctly.

Credit freezes with all three bureaus
Early awareness of identity risks
Taking action before fraud appears

When speed matters, credit locks — different from freezes — give you instant on/off control. That combination puts someone well ahead of most families.

Steps to protect a loved one’s identity after death

Once the immediate paperwork is underway, these practical steps help close the gaps scammers look for. None of them is super complicated, but together they create a much stronger layer of protection.

1) Add a deceased flag to credit files

Even with a credit freeze in place, this step adds another layer of protection that lenders see immediately.

Contact Equifax, Experian and TransUnion and ask them to mark the credit file as deceased. Each bureau may request:

A copy of the death certificate

Proof that you are the surviving spouse or executor

Once the flag is added, fraudulent applications become much harder to process because lenders are alerted upfront. A credit lock provides the same blocking effect, but with real-time control; this can matter when you’re managing a deceased estate or responding quickly to lender requests.

2) Monitor identity activity while you manage everything else

This is where many checklists fall short. Credit freezes and deceased flags help, but identity misuse can still surface in other ways.

Fraud attempts may appear as:

Account takeovers
Unauthorized credit inquiries
Use of personal data outside traditional credit

That is why ongoing monitoring still matters.

Why identity theft protection helps at this stage

Identity theft protection focuses on identity protection rather than just credit scores, which makes it especially useful after a loss.

Monitors for misuse tied to your loved one’s information
Sends alerts if something suspicious appears
Includes fraud support if action is needed
Reduces the burden of constant manual checks

One of the best parts of my pick for top identity theft service is its all-in-one approach to safeguarding your personal and financial life. It includes identity theft insurance of up to $1 million per adult to cover eligible losses and legal fees, plus 24/7 U.S.-based fraud resolution support with dedicated case managers ready to help restore your identity fast. It also combines three-bureau credit monitoring with an instant credit lock that lets you quickly lock down your Experian file right from the app.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

3) Secure sensitive documents during estate administration

Estate administration often requires sharing paperwork, which is where identity leaks can happen.

Lock down and limit access to:

Death certificate copies
Social Security numbers
Old tax returns
Insurance and pension records

Only share what is required and keep track of where documents go.

MILLIONS OF AI CHAT MESSAGES EXPOSED IN APP DATA LEAK

A man types on a laptop. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

4) Watch mail and phone calls for warning signs

Small signals often reveal fraud attempts early.

Pay close attention to:

Bills or collection notices in their name
Credit card or loan offers
Bank or government letters you did not expect
Calls asking to verify personal information

If something feels off, pause before responding and verify the source independently.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Protecting a loved one’s identity after death is one more responsibility no one prepares you for. It is not about mistrusting the system. It is about protecting yourself during a time when you are already carrying enough. Janet’s question reflects what many families experience quietly. Identity protection does not end when life does, and scammers know that grief creates gaps. Taking a few extra steps now can spare you months or even years of stress later. You are not being overly cautious. You are being careful at a moment when the system does not always move fast enough to keep up with real life.

If you have handled an estate or are planning ahead, have you taken steps to protect a loved one’s identity after death, or is this something you are just learning about now? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Technology

Sony’s AI graphics upscaling for PS5 Pro games is getting a big update tonight

Published

3 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Press Room

Sony’s AI graphics upscaling for PS5 Pro games is getting a big update tonight

Sony’s upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology is rolling out to several titles on the PS5 Pro, including Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Silent Hill 2, and more. Digital Foundry got a chance to test some of them and found that the “new upscaler delivers the kind of upgrade we were looking for from PS5 Pro.” Problems with shimmering, flickering, and other visual artifacts have been addressed, and they said it now delivers crisper and more consistent in-game graphics.

This is the first upgrade we’ve seen from AMD and Sony’s combined Project Amethyst work on improving the effect of rendering a game at a lower resolution, then using AI trained on graphics to analyze each frame and upscale it, delivering improved quality on the same hardware without reducing the framerate. The upgraded PSSR is included with the latest PS5 system software update, which will start rolling out “in phases” on March 17th at 1AM ET, and Sony says its improvements will also improve AMD’s next FSR update when that rolls out.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 will also get a patch with the PSSR update in the “coming weeks,” while CrimsonDesert will adopt the tech when the game launches on March 19th, according to Sony. You can also toggle the updated tech on or off for PS5 Pro games not on this list that already support PSSR, though Sony notes that “results may vary by title.”

Technology

The email trick that reveals your hidden online accounts

Published

4 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Press Room

The email trick that reveals your hidden online accounts

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Most of us have created far more online accounts than we remember. Shopping sites, travel apps, rewards programs, forums and random services all ask for a quick sign-up. At the time, it feels harmless. Years later, those accounts are still sitting online, tied to your email address.

That matters more than you might think. Old accounts increase your digital footprint. They can also expose personal information if a company suffers a data breach. Fortunately, there is a simple way to uncover many of them in just a few minutes. The answer is already sitting in your inbox.

Your email inbox keeps a hidden record of your accounts

Nearly every website sends a confirmation message when you create an account. That means your inbox quietly becomes a timeline of every service you joined.

11 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY IN 2025

Security experts say reviewing old account confirmation emails is one of the fastest ways to find services you no longer use. (Tempura/Getty Images)

Instead of trying to remember dozens of sites, you can search your email and let those messages reveal the accounts for you. In many cases, people discover accounts they forgot about years ago.

Old shopping stores
Unused travel sites
Rewards programs
Apps you downloaded once

The list can grow quickly once you start looking.

Step 1: Search your inbox for sign-up emails

Start by opening your email account and using the search bar. Try searching these phrases one at a time:

Welcome
Verify your email
Confirm your account
Create account
Thanks for signing up
Account created

These phrases appear in many sign-up emails. As a result, your inbox will often surface dozens of account confirmations. Scroll through the results and pay attention to the companies that appear. You may spot services you have not thought about in years.

Step 2: Scan the sender names

Next, look closely at the companies sending those messages. Many people quickly find accounts from:

Old shopping sites
Rewards programs
Travel accounts
Apps and services

Make a short list of accounts you no longer use. Even a few minutes of searching can reveal a surprising number. At this point, you have essentially built a cleanup checklist.

THINK YOUR NEW YEAR’S PRIVACY RESET WORKED? THINK AGAIN

Searching your inbox for common sign-up emails can reveal dozens of forgotten online accounts still tied to your email address. (Rawf8/Getty Images)

Step 3: Log in and delete the accounts

Once you identify a site, visit the official website directly rather than clicking links in old emails. Then look for account settings. Most platforms include an option such as:

Account Settings
Delete Account
Close Account

If you cannot find it, contact the company’s support team and request removal. While it takes a little time, deleting unused accounts reduces the number of places storing your personal information.

Bonus trick: Search for password reset emails

There is another search that often reveals even more accounts. Look for these phrases in your inbox:

Reset your password
Password reset request

If those messages appear from a company, it usually means you created an account there at some point. People are often surprised by how many services show up during this search.

Another smart step to shrink your digital footprint

Closing old accounts helps reduce risk. However, your information may still exist in another corner of the internet. Data broker companies collect personal details from apps, websites and public records. They often build profiles that include addresses, phone numbers, browsing habits and more. After removing unused accounts, many people choose to use a data removal service that requests the deletion of those listings. That combination can dramatically reduce the amount of personal information floating around online.

FROM TIKTOK TO TROUBLE: HOW YOUR ONLINE DATA CAN BE WEAPONIZED AGAINST YOU

A quick inbox search using phrases like “Welcome” or “Verify your email” can uncover accounts you created years ago. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

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

Digital clutter builds quietly over time. Every sign-up adds another account connected to your email address. The good news is that your inbox already holds the map to many of them. A few quick searches can reveal forgotten accounts that have been sitting online for years. Cleaning them up takes some effort, but the payoff is real. Fewer accounts mean fewer places where your personal information can leak or be exposed. So here is something worth thinking about.

If your inbox reveals dozens of forgotten accounts today, how many companies still have your personal information without you even realizing it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

Aether OS is a computer in a browser built for the AT Protocol

Published

15 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Press Room

Aether OS is a computer in a browser built for the AT Protocol

Aether OS puts a full-fledged desktop in your browser that ties directly into the AT Protocol. That means it connects to your Bluesky account and other public records. It offers a pretty full suite of apps, 42 in total, covering text editing, task management, and social media. There’s even a rudimentary tracker for making chiptunes, a DAW, and a video editor.

Of course, part of the appeal is also the cyberpunk good looks that draw obvious inspiration from The Matrix.

Right now, the project is in alpha, and there are a lot of rough edges. Documentation is also basically non-existent. So, if you get stuck trying to use an app, you’re kind of SOL. Oh, and nothing is encrypted or permissioned, so be careful what you store — it’s all publicly visible.