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Filevault in Lion and theft recovery accounts

F

Forgeron

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 22, 2008
52
0
Is there any way to use file vault in lion and still have a guest account open without password (or maybe provide the password in the password hint) so that a potential thief can be tracked down using preyproject.com or similar services that take pictures of a thief while they use my mac?

Currently (snow leopard) I have an encrypted user folder for myself, and an unencrypted no password account named "guest" for thieves. :)

I'm afraid that if I encrypt the whole drive, either the thief cannot log in, or if I provide a password free guest login my files in my home folder won't be safe anymore.

Any insight?
 
Well I cannot possibly be the only nerd out here obsessed with encryption and theft recovery stories all at the same time, right? :)
 
Forgeron said:
Well I cannot possibly be the only nerd out here obsessed with encryption and theft recovery stories all at the same time, right? :)
Click to expand...

Guest access is still possible when using filevault2.
Here is the log in screen. Excuse the iPone screenshot.
 

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mrapplegate said:
Guest access is still possible when using filevault2.
Here is the log in screen. Excuse the iPone screenshot.
Click to expand...
Thanks for checking!

But would a piece of software like Prey (or Orbicule Undercover or MacTrak) be able to run in that guest mode? Or can you not install anything in that mode?
 
Forgeron said:
Thanks for checking!

But would a piece of software like Prey (or Orbicule Undercover or MacTrak) be able to run in that guest mode? Or can you not install anything in that mode?
Click to expand...

I don't think you can, I have not checked but I'm pretty sure it is for Apple's Find A Mac recovery feature. The thief uses Safari and the IP address is sent to Apple. I tested the feature before my filevault2 install, but have not after. It is still in beta.
 
I already try it on my mac, I log in into the guess account....in there you can only use safari... when the laptop get access to a wifi network them you can send it messages and lock the screen with find my iPhone on your iPad or iPhone... but of course you need to have installed iCloud on your computer so you can active it find my mac...
 
kev1234 said:
I already try it on my mac, I log in into the guess account....in there you can only use safari... when the laptop get access to a wifi network them you can send it messages and lock the screen with find my iPhone on your iPad or iPhone... but of course you need to have installed iCloud on your computer so you can active it find my mac...
Click to expand...

Oh I know. I installed and tested before filevault2. I just have not installed 10.7.2 and tested the newest beta since encrypting my disk.
So you'r saying you tested after encrypting since filevault2?
 
mrapplegate said:
Good to know, I had no doubts :)
After all, Apple wants to use their own Find My Mac service instead of letting third part applications do the job.
Click to expand...

Yeap !.... but one thing that It will make find my mac or find my iPhone the best app, is to be able to take a picture when the device is in use !!! like the other apps do !!
 
mrapplegate said:
In time, I'm sure Apple's Find My Mac will incorporate that function.
Click to expand...

I doubt it. Sounds like a bucket of pain to deal with all these "innocent" people who bought a Mac at a pawn shop and now have their privacy violated by Apple's built in spy system. Also, it freaks people out that a system like that might be active on their machine because they think Apple employees can now watch their face.

Sounds like a legal nightmare to me. And there are hardly any upsides to Apple to implement a picture taking feature. Back to My Mac is a productivity tool for when you left your mac at home but are at work, not a theft recovery tool.
 
Forgeron said:
I doubt it. Sounds like a bucket of pain to deal with all these "innocent" people who bought a Mac at a pawn shop and now have their privacy violated by Apple's built in spy system. Also, it freaks people out that a system like that might be active on their machine because they think Apple employees can now watch their face.

Sounds like a legal nightmare to me. And there are hardly any upsides to Apple to implement a picture taking feature. Back to My Mac is a productivity tool for when you left your mac at home but are at work, not a theft recovery tool.
Click to expand...

We are talking about Find My Mac, it is in beta, and is a recovery tool. It makes sense to have the same features the other Mac recovery applications already have on the market.
 
mrapplegate said:
We are talking about Find My Mac, it is in beta, and is a recovery tool. It makes sense to have the same features the other Mac recovery applications already have on the market.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. I'm just afraid Apple won't want to open the can of worms that is remote access to the webcam. I can already imagine the headlines about how Apple's built in software provides ways for dirty old men to spy on [...]

At least with Prey you are actively taking steps to install this software yourself making Apple not liable.

But let's hope Apple will actually install this camera option. Maybe a giant disclaimer will do enough to help them out.
 
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