Dead Man's Switch

The dead man's switch acts on your Encrypted Vault if you stop using it for a period you choose. It can either destroy all your files or send them to someone you trust. This guide explains how to set it up, how the timer works and which emails are sent.

What it can do

• Destroy all files permanently: every file in your vault is deleted from storage, and all your folders are removed. This can't be undone. We email you to confirm it has happened.
• Share all files with someone I trust: your emergency contact gets an email with a download link for every file in your vault. The links last 30 days and have no password or download limit.

Set it up

1. Open Vault and click Security at the top. This opens the Vault security page.
2. Under Dead man's switch, tick Turn on the dead man's switch.
3. Under Act after this long without opening my vault, choose 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, 180 or 365 days.
4. Under What happens then, choose Destroy all files permanently or Share all files with someone I trust.
5. If you chose to share, enter the Emergency contact email and Their name.
6. Click Save dead man's switch.

When the switch is on, the section shows On, how many days are left, the date it will act and what will happen.

How the timer works

• The timer restarts every time you open your vault, and when you save the switch's settings. Signing in to the portal alone doesn't restart it.
• You can also restart it by clicking I'm still here on the Vault security page.
• When 7 days or fewer are left, we email you a warning.
• Switches are checked once a day, so the action happens on the first daily check after the time runs out.
• After it has acted, the switch turns itself off.

Keep your account email up to date. The warning goes to the email address on your PremierVPN account. If you miss it, the switch goes ahead.

The emails we send

• The warning: subject "Your Vault dead man's switch acts in" followed by the days left. It says what will happen and when, with Open my vault and Security settings buttons. Opening your vault, or clicking I'm still here, restarts the timer.
• Files destroyed: if the switch destroys your files, we email you "Your Vault files have been destroyed". Your PremierVPN account and Vault plan aren't affected, and you can keep using your vault with the same passphrase.
• Your emergency contact's email: if the switch shares your files, your contact gets an email saying you've shared your PremierVPN Vault files with them. It lists each file with its size and whether it's encrypted, with a link to open it. To open an encrypted file, they type your vault passphrase and click Decrypt and download.

Before you choose "Share"

• Your emergency contact needs your vault passphrase to open encrypted files. Give it to them in advance, in a safe way, and not by email.
• Files you stored without encryption can be opened by anyone with the link, with no passphrase.
• The email to your contact includes your name and your account email. Encrypted file names aren't shown: each one is listed as Encrypted file followed by a number, and the real name appears once your contact decrypts it. Names of unencrypted files, and of files whose names haven't been encrypted yet, are shown as they are.
• Make sure the contact's email address is right. The links go to whatever address you enter.

Who it's for

The switch is a safety net for people who hold files that must not fall into the wrong hands, or that someone else will need if something happens to them. Choose a period you won't miss by accident, such as 30 to 90 days, and think about holidays or time away when choosing.