A hardware USB kill cord serves as a Dead Man Switch, severing the USB connection when the user is separated and triggering protective actions such as locking the laptop, shutting it down, or initiating data-destruct safeguards to keep accounts and encrypted information safe. This wired, simple device has no Bluetooth or wireless signaling, targets travelers, cryptocurrency traders, journalists, activists, and other security-conscious users who operate in public or high-risk environments, and it is released under open-source licenses (GPLv3 and CC-BY-SA) so developers can review, modify, audit, and verify both hardware and software.