kill switch

American  

[kil swich] / ˈkɪl ˌswɪtʃ /

noun

1. a button, switch, or other mechanism that allows a machine to be shut down immediately.

   Only use the kill switch in emergencies.

2. Digital Technology. a command deployed to remotely lock, disable, or wipe an electronic device, as when the device is lost or stolen.

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Etymology

Origin of kill switch

First recorded in 1950–60

Example Sentences

"Why can't they have a kill switch so a stolen phone can't be used? Why can't they stop somebody having access to a cloud so a phone that's stolen is not reset and reused?"

From BBC

Kill Switch Feature: This automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing your data from being exposed accidentally.

From Salon

You get AES-256 encryption, GhostBear to hide your VPN usage, and kill switch protection.

From Salon

Automatic kill switch keeps you protected if the connection drops, and there’s even SOCKS5 proxy support.

From Salon

The kill switch prevents IP leaks if the connection drops.

From Salon