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Unpopular opinion but I like that if someone steals my MacBook, it’s impossible for them to factory reset it unless they get a BootROM exploit or even use it if

by osy 6y ago

Unpopular opinion but I like that if someone steals my MacBook, it’s impossible for them to factory reset it unless they get a BootROM exploit or even use it if they don’t have an early boot exploit. If there’s a way to “turn this off” then thieves would be able to use that mechanism to bypass the activation lock. If you want 100% total control, then don’t buy Apple.

fy20 6y ago
There has been something in place that can achieve this for a while. I had a MacBook Air stolen in 2014, and got it back a few months later with everything intact. I had a BIOS (or whatever the Mac equivalent is) password set, so without some serious work (more than the average thief) it was impossible to reset the machine. I also had the disk encrypted, so even if they managed to bypass that they wouldn't be able to access my data.
- Normille 6y ago
  >I had a BIOS (or whatever the Mac equivalent is) password set, I think you're referring to the Open Firmware Password, which can be set to prevent the computer booting from an external drive or booting from a swapped internal drive, without first entering this password
  - floatboth 6y ago
    "Open Firmware" is from the PowerPC Mac era ;)
    - Normille 6y ago
      You could be right. It seems they've dropped the 'Open' and it's just called 'Firmware Password' nowadays: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455
jbirer 6y ago
My new unethical service is cracking "locked" Macbooks with the T2 chip using Checkm8. I am being paid 100$ per unlock by some people who I do not care where they bring the Macs from. I am not sure if the security chips are a solution as long as there is some sort of security hole to break them. Now if they had a BIOS that only started with the recognition of the owner's fingertip on the other hand...
- MperorM 6y ago
  I find it pretty amusing that your last post was advocating for why we should hire you :D
  - smichel17 6y ago
    Still, a modicum of respect for being upfront about it. And it shows they at least still consider the ethics of their actions, as opposed to turning a blind eye to it.
IshKebab 6y ago
Maybe I'm misunderstanding but I don't think that is the case? This article seems to be saying you can factory reset a Mac, but you have to have an internet connection so Apple can activate it. In theory Apple could let people tell them when devices have been stolen and then remotely brick them. But I've never heard of that and I doubt they would ever do that for the same reasons mobile phone operators don't do it, even though the capability is available.
- ncw96 6y ago
  They do have a feature where you can prevent a stolen Mac (or iOS device) from being activated. It’s called Activation Lock, and it’s turned on automatically when you enable Apple’s Find My Mac service. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208987 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208987

by osy 6y ago

fy20 6y ago

There has been something in place that can achieve this for a while. I had a MacBook Air stolen in 2014, and got it back a few months later with everything intact. I had a BIOS (or whatever the Mac equivalent is) password set, so without some serious work (more than the average thief) it was impossible to reset the machine. I also had the disk encrypted, so even if they managed to bypass that they wouldn't be able to access my data.

Normille 6y ago
>I had a BIOS (or whatever the Mac equivalent is) password set, I think you're referring to the Open Firmware Password, which can be set to prevent the computer booting from an external drive or booting from a swapped internal drive, without first entering this password
- floatboth 6y ago
  "Open Firmware" is from the PowerPC Mac era ;)
  - Normille 6y ago
    You could be right. It seems they've dropped the 'Open' and it's just called 'Firmware Password' nowadays: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455

jbirer 6y ago

My new unethical service is cracking "locked" Macbooks with the T2 chip using Checkm8. I am being paid 100$ per unlock by some people who I do not care where they bring the Macs from. I am not sure if the security chips are a solution as long as there is some sort of security hole to break them. Now if they had a BIOS that only started with the recognition of the owner's fingertip on the other hand...

MperorM 6y ago
I find it pretty amusing that your last post was advocating for why we should hire you :D
- smichel17 6y ago
  Still, a modicum of respect for being upfront about it. And it shows they at least still consider the ethics of their actions, as opposed to turning a blind eye to it.

IshKebab 6y ago

Maybe I'm misunderstanding but I don't think that is the case? This article seems to be saying you can factory reset a Mac, but you have to have an internet connection so Apple can activate it. In theory Apple could let people tell them when devices have been stolen and then remotely brick them. But I've never heard of that and I doubt they would ever do that for the same reasons mobile phone operators don't do it, even though the capability is available.

ncw96 6y ago
They do have a feature where you can prevent a stolen Mac (or iOS device) from being activated. It’s called Activation Lock, and it’s turned on automatically when you enable Apple’s Find My Mac service. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208987 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208987