Dead Man Switch

Overview

Dead Man Switch is a cross-platform security application written in Rust that automatically protects sensitive data in emergency situations. The application monitors multiple trigger mechanisms and executes immediate system lockdown procedures when activated, including encrypted volume dismounting and controlled system shutdown.

Core Features

• Heartbeat Timer: Automatic trigger on missed check-in intervals
• Telegram Integration: Remote control via secure messaging
• Network Triggers: LAN broadcast-based activation
• USB Detection: Hardware-based triggering
• Flic Button Support: Physical activation mechanism
• VeraCrypt Integration: Automatic encrypted volume dismounting
• Cross-Platform: Windows, Linux, and macOS compatibility

Requirements

• Rust 1.82.0 or later (Installation Guide)
• VeraCrypt (Download)
• Telegram Bot Token (optional, for remote features)

Configuration

Edit src/config.rs to customize settings:

pub fn default() -> Result<Self> {
    Self::new(
        "YOUR_TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN".to_string(),
        3600,                                     // Heartbeat timeout (seconds)
        45370,                                    // Network broadcast port
        "trigger_dms".to_string(),               // Network trigger message
        "execute".to_string(),                   // Manual trigger command
        0x090c,                                  // USB vendor ID
        0x1000,                                  // USB product ID
        "auto".to_string(),                      // Flic IP (auto-detected)
        5551,                                    // Flic port
    )
}

Obtaining Telegram Bot Token

1. Contact @BotFather on Telegram
2. Execute /newbot command
3. Follow setup instructions
4. Copy provided API token
5. Insert token into configuration file

Usage

Basic form:

./DeadManSwitch --mode <modes> [--trigger]

• --mode: comma-separated list of modes. If omitted, all is used.
• --trigger: execute actions immediately and show the alert UI, without waiting for any external trigger.

Modes

Available modes:

• timer – Telegram heartbeat timer
• bot – Telegram manual trigger
• net – UDP broadcast listener
• usb – USB VID/PID trigger
• flic – Flic button trigger
• all – All of the above

Examples:

# All triggers (default)
./DeadManSwitch

# Only Telegram heartbeat + USB
./DeadManSwitch --mode timer,usb

# Only network broadcast
./DeadManSwitch --mode net

# Manual trigger only
./DeadManSwitch --trigger

Trigger Mechanisms

1. Heartbeat Timer

Automatically triggers after specified timeout period without check-in.

Configuration:

telegram_heartbeat_timeout: 3600  // seconds

Execution:

./DeadManSwitch --mode timer

Telegram Commands:

• /alive - Reset countdown timer
• /status - Query time remaining

Behavior:

• Monitors for periodic heartbeat signals
• Sends Telegram alert on timeout
• Executes lockdown procedures automatically

2. Telegram Bot

Remote manual control interface.

Setup:

1. Create bot via @BotFather
2. Add bot to channel with "Post Messages" permission
3. Update configuration with token

Execution:

./DeadManSwitch --mode bot

Command:

• /dms execute - Manual trigger activation

3. Network Broadcast

LAN-based triggering mechanism.

Configuration:

broadcast_port: 45370
broadcast_message: "trigger_dms"

Execution:

# Protected machine
./DeadManSwitch --mode net

# Trigger from network
echo "trigger_dms" | nc -u -b 255.255.255.255 45370

4. USB Device Detection

Hardware-based activation on device connection.

Identifying Device IDs:

git clone https://github.com/BlackSnufkin/Rusty-Playground.git
cd Rusty-Playground/USB_mon
cargo run
# Connect device and note vendor:product IDs

Configuration:

usb_vendor_id: 0x090c
usb_product_id: 0x1000

Execution:

./DeadManSwitch --mode usb

---

5. Flic Button

Physical button activation mechanism.

Server Installation:

• Linux: Flic SDK for Linux
• Windows: Flic Windows SDK

Button Pairing:

./simpleclient scan
./simpleclient connect <button_address>

Configuration:

flic_ip: "192.168.1.242".to_string()  // or "auto" for detection

Execution:

./DeadManSwitch --mode flic

Activation: Press and hold button

Recommended Use with VeraCrypt

• Encrypt your volumes/partitions with VeraCrypt
• Configure ActionExecutor to dismount and shutdown on trigger
• Test everything on non-critical systems before using it on real data

Disclaimer

• Provided without any warranty
• You are responsible for any data loss or damage
• Always keep backups and test configuration before using this on important systems