All About Filevault

[Ormond]

Hone,

Let's say one's Mac suddenly dies, and they wisely have multiple backups. Their data is safe, but their Mac is dead. So the Mac has to go to the shop. And while the Mac is in the shop, there's no telling who has access to the data on it.

Let's say one's Mac is stolen, and they wisely have multiple backups. Their data is safe, but their Mac is gone. And while the thief has their Mac, there's no telling who has access to the data on it.

Your backup advice is excellent, but just not especially relevant to this particular thread.

 

[honestone]

Hone,

Let's say one's Mac suddenly dies, and they wisely have multiple backups. Their data is safe, but their Mac is dead. So the Mac has to go to the shop. And while the Mac is in the shop, there's no telling who has access to the data on it.

Yo Ormo,

With the right tools, one can do quite a lot of diagnosis/repairs on their own. But, given that some folks live in a dream world and think Macs just work, well they are SOL.

Let's say one's Mac is stolen, and they wisely have multiple backups. Their data is safe, but their Mac is gone. And while the thief has their Mac, there's no telling who has access to the data on it.

Then take the necessary precautions to 1) avoid having the Mac stolen, and 2) protect the data via software.

Your backup advice is excellent, but just not especially relevant to this particular thread.

Yes it is, as long as folks like you understand what I am saying.

 

[Ormond]

Yes it is, as long as folks like you understand what I am saying.

I understand exactly what you're saying, and would be grateful if you would stop saying it.

 

[honestone]

I understand exactly what you're saying, and would be grateful if you would stop saying it.

AS long as you agree that with a backup and applicable tools, one can try and repair a "damaged" machine (within limits, of course) on their own. Deal?

 

[Ormond]

Yes, except that this thread is not about damaged machines. It's about data security.

 

[honestone]

Yes, except that this thread is not about damaged machines. It's about data security.

True, but if you have a "good" backup, and prepare properly, you can reboot your machine from an "external source", use Disk Utility there to Erase and Format (and if necessary, partition) your internal drive, do a fresh, "virgin" installation of the Mac OS you are using, and then use Migration Assistant to "migrate"/copy needed "stuff" from your backup. Reboot your machine, and you are back in business.

If the backup is "infected" also, then yes, that will not work. As long as your internal HDD is OK (from a mechanical perspective), you could still boot your machine externally, use Disk Utility to erase and Format the drive, and then do a clean, "virgin" installation of the OS. Reboot your machine, and then you would need to add any third party applications one by one. I actually suspect that if the backup is bad, and the drive is OK, that is what the folks at the Apple Store would do.