How to set a password firmware (firmware password) on OS X Mavericks
Tips Makradar / / December 19, 2019
OS X has a lot of security settings, including restricting access to your computer. Password is requested when you log in, you unlock the computer, as well as for the application of important actions in the operating system. But what if you need a more advanced level of protection? The maximum level of security is the so-called password firmware (firmware password). This low-level protection, which blocks the computer level motherboard firmware, rather than at the program level as FileVault encryption or standard login password.
After installation of the Mac passwords can not be run by an external boot disk; run the system in single user mode; select your startup disk; reset PRAM (VRAM), and boot the computer in Safe Mode. For all of these actions will need to enter a password firmware. This will ensure maximum reliability and protection of that information with the Mac you can not be exploited in the event of loss or theft.
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Disclaimer. As for the rest of your important accounts, use a firmware-password something complicated, but memorable. It is very important to keep your password in a safe place or remember it. If you lose or forget your password firmware - Mac can not be loaded and will need to contact the Apple Store or send the computer into a service Apple. On older Macs have a way to circumvent the firmware password, in contrast to the new models, where it is necessary to disconnect the battery or memory modules, well, or contact the Apple support.
Installing the firmware password on your Mac
Enable EFI-password is simple enough, but Mavericks is done differently than in previous versions of OS X.
1. Reboot your Mac and hold down ⌘R in order to boot into recovery mode.
2. The screen OS X Utilities opening paragraph Utilities in the menu bar and choose Firmware Password Utility.
3. press Enable firmware password.
4. Double-enter your password and press Set password (Be sure to remember or write down your password to avoid losing access to the computer).
5. press To completeFirmware Password Utility.
After you install the EFI-password, you can restart and turn off the Mac, as usual. The system will be loaded automatically, until the login screen, where required to enter the password.
In what situations need to enter the firmware password?
Normal or reboot the Mac is going on without entering a firmware password, but alternative booting methods will be possible only with the obligatory introduction of it. That is, when someone tries to boot from a bootable disk in the recovery mode in Single User Mode (login for root-user), Verbose Mode (conclusion diagnostic information is essential in determining the problems at boot time), Target Disk Mode (the mode in which a Mac can be used as a boot drive for another), resetting PRAM / VRAM (special memory, which stores various settings "iron": screen brightness, audio volume, etc.) will need to be sure to enter password-firmware. With it will only display the input field and castle picture - no clues. If the password is entered incorrectly, nothing will happen and the system will not give any error.
All modern Macs have Intel-based EFI firmware (Extensible Firmware Interface), while older models use Open Firmware. Total HEREUNDER remains the same, the differences are only at the hardware level.
Should you use a password firmware?
Most users find Firmware Password redundant measure of safety and for ordinary Mac-users the way it is. Average user enough standard password at login and password screen - such protection is quite effective. You can also still activate encryption FileVault - this will give you an additional guarantee of the security of your data.
If you need even greater protection that will protect you from resetting a user password and prevent unauthorized access to your information - use the firmware password (firmware password).