Frequently asked questions
Short answers. For the full technical design, see the security model.
What is a deadkey?
A dead-man switch: it holds an encrypted secret and releases it only if you become unreachable. Most people use it to give a trusted person emergency access to a password manager or encrypted drive.
What's a trusted person?
A trusted person is a person you trust to access your information if you are incapacitated or pass away. You can name up to two, each with their own Recovery Sheet.
What's a codebook, and assisted vs. tin foil hat mode?
A codebook is a random 100-cell mapping of positions to digits or characters. In assisted mode your browser builds it for you; in tin foil hat mode you fill in a blank codebook by hand yourself. Neither is more secure — they only differ in how much you trust your own computer during setup.
How do I cancel a countdown?
Click the link. The moment a trusted person triggers the switch, we email (and text, if you provided a number) a one-click cancel link to your registered contact. There is no code or token to find.
How much does it cost, and how long does it last?
A flat $3.00, one time, covering up to two trusted people. Each record is valid for 3 years.
Is my secret stored on your servers?
No. All cryptographic work happens in your browser. We store only encrypted coordinates — meaningless without your trusted person's codebook.
What's the refund policy?
If your token was never used to create a record, email support@deadkey.net with your Stripe receipt for a refund. Once a record is created, refunds are not available.
How do I delete a deadkey?
Go to deadkey.net/delete and enter the email and the delete code printed on your Owner Receipt. This permanently and immediately destroys the record and every trusted person's access — it cannot be undone. Use it if a Recovery Sheet is lost or stolen, or any time you want to revoke a deadkey.
My trusted person didn't get the release email — can they still get in?
Yes. After the countdown ends they can return to deadkey.net/trigger and re-enter the same email and code from their Recovery Sheet to retrieve the information on screen. The email is just a convenience — access rides on the code they already hold, so a mistyped address never locks them out.
Question we haven't covered? Email support@deadkey.net.