macOS provides multiple methods to protect the data on a Mac: a user account password, encryption via FileVault, and optional low-level security measure that prevents starting up from storage devices other than the selected startup disk. That's known as the firmware password or EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) lock, which will also block the user's ability to use all startup key combinations, except the NVRAM or PRAM reset combinations. This command (Option + Command + P + R), however, will initiate the machine from macOS Recovery instead.
Just close the lid and when you open it next, you'll need to enter your. Sqlpro studio 1 0 172 – powerful database manager roles. How to Remotely Lock Your Apple Watch, iPhone, Mac & iPad! Subscribe For Tech Videos including Tech How To’s with New Videos Every Week! Follow us on Twitter. Question: Q: Remote lock on my Macbook Air Okey, so I wanted to try remote lock on all my devices, it worked really great on my iPad, but when testing with my MBAir I put in the password with my numpad (you have to type it in twice, just to confirm) and I'm 99% certain that this is the password I've been trying to unlock it with, but it's no use.
The Lost Mode feature of Find My Mac will remotely lock the Mac with a firmware password for one-time use. The user's Mac receives the lock instruction from iCloud, restarts, and asks for the system lock PIN code that they set up. After entering the passcode the Mac starts up from the designated startup disk and disables the passcode.
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A firmware password is not the same as the administrator password or login password. It's a separate password that appears immediately after boot and must be entered into the system lock screen, which appears as a lock symbol on either a black or a gray background.
Firmware Passcode Security
Low-level passwords are quite secure, which also means there is potentially a headache if the password is forgotten. If you or any of your users can't remember the firmware password or passcode, know that Apple doesn’t allow for any workarounds, but instead recommends scheduling a service appointment with an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. The process requires the original receipt or invoice as proof of purchase.
Earlier versions of macOS required manual installation of the firmware but, starting in 2015, Apple began bundling EFI updates with the macOS updates in order to deliver security patches to all users. But as security firm Duo Labs discovered in late 2017, some Macs aren't getting the right firmware, which makes them vulnerable to hackers. They recommend checking the firmware version and updating if needed.
Firmware Passcode Location
On Intel-based Macs shipped before 2011, the firmware password was stored in the PRAM and read by the system EFI firmware before other PRAM variables. That lead to a serious security issue, allowing the firmware to be revealed in a native macOS app and weakening the enhanced security Apple had hoped to introduce with the addition of the firmware password.
In 2011, however, Apple added an important change to the system: the firmware password was moved to a separate programmable controller from Atmel. This component contains lockable flash memory to store the password and requires special programming with identifier numbers for both the Mac's motherboard and the Atmel chip to access and reset it.
Since the controller is an independent component, the only way to bypass it is to manually remove it from the motherboard, but this requires highly precise reflow soldering tools and techniques.
Bypassing the Mac Firmware Password on MacBooks With Upgradeable RAM
This hardware hack works on both Intel- and Motorola-based MacBooks and requires users to remove the RAM and reinstall it. You can check our guide on how to remove the RAM on MacBooks for further reading.
- Shut down your computer and remove the battery.
- Locate your RAM, remove one of the RAM modules and put it aside.
- Put the battery in, and boot your computer while holding the Command + Option + P + R keys to reset the parameter RAM.
- Wait for the chime to sound three times.
- Release the keys and shut down the computer.
- Remove the battery again, and reinsert the RAM module.
- Put the battery back in.
- Boot up your Mac, and you should not see the firmware lock again.
Disable the Password With Firmware Password Utility
- Restart your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys to enter Recovery Mode.
- When the Utilities screen appears, go the Utilities menu bar, and select “Firmware Password Utility”.
- Choose to turn the Firmware Password off.
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If none of the above methods worked, there are still two more options to try: either have Apple do it for you, so long as you have the original receipt or invoice, or alternatively use any of the EFI lock bypass hardware kits available for sale on various sites. In using one of these EFI lock hardware bypass methods you’ll almost certainly void your warranty, so it is down to you whether you want to risk the procedure.
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On a recent episode of Mac Power Users, hosts David and Katie talked through the in’s and outs of using Hazel to automatically organise and sort your documents.
For me, Hazel is one of those apps I’ve heard a lot about but have never really spent the time to learn. In a Nutshell, Hazel helps to keep your Mac clean by watching specific folders and then performing actions on files that meet certain criteria. For example, now I’m using Hazel to automatically rename and move receipts and invoices to a specific Dropbox folder ready for my doing my accounts.
One of the hacks mentioned on the show is how you can use Hazel to lock your Mac. David uses the Drafts app on his iPhone to create a document with the name “lock”. When this gets added to a specific folder in Dropbox, Hazel then delete the file (because it’s no longer needed) and runs some Applescript to lock the Mac. Pretty cool right? This is really handy if you walk away from your computer and need to be able to lock it remotely. Affinity designer 1 4 3 download free.
This got me thinking, surely there’s a way to do this using a handy Workflow widget? And good news… after playing around, now there is!
Follow the steps below to set up your own remote locking system:
1. Download Workflow and install “Lock Mac”
Download the Workflow iOS app and install the “Lock Mac” workflow I’ve already created.
If you want to know how the actual workflow works, here’s a quick rundown:
- The app creates some text with the word “lock”.
- Workflow turns this text into a PDF.
- The PDF is saved to a specific Dropbox folder (I use Dropbox/Apps/Workflow).
- An alert is shown confirming the workflow has run. This isn’t really necessary, but it’s kinda fun.
And that’s it… Now it’s time for Hazel to take over and do the rest.
2. Download Hazel and install “Lock Mac” rules
Now you can head on over to the Hazel website, download Hazel and get her up and running.
How To Lock Macbook Remotely Password
You can either download my Hazel rule here (you may need to edit the target folder) or follow these steps:
- Add a new folder to the list of folders that Hazel will watch.
- Add a new rule and set the “Contents” to “contain” the word “lock”. This is the condition that needs to be met for Hazel to lock the Mac.
- Set the actions to “Move” this file to the “Trash” because after locking the Mac, it’s no longer needed.
- Set a section action to “Run Applescript” and “embedded script”. Then click on the “i” and paste in the following Applescript:
- Click “OK” and you’re all done.
Now you can test the entire workflow. Choose the “Lock Mac” option from your iPhone’s Today View. Then watch as a PDF is created, added to the folder, deleted (make sure you have the Apps/Workflow folder open if you want to see this) and your Mac goes to sleep.
How To Lock Mac Computer
To learn more about how I'm using Hazel, check out my getting started video. If you have any cool rules or actions you’d like to share, please let me know in the comments!