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Hackers Remotely Locking Some Macs and iOS Devices in Australia for Ransom
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Not sure if the auto lock really relates much to that as that's just related to when the screen turns off after a period of inactivity.
The only Apple ID and authentication info that matters in this case is whatever Apple ID you use for iCloud.
It may seem like I'm nit-picking, or maybe this will help clarify things for you: It's not 2FA for iCloud. It's 2FA for Apple ID. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5570 You can use two-step authentication with an Apple ID regardless of whether you use iCloud.
An Apple ID is a user name that can be used for one or more Apple services. Here's a partial list of those services: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5616.
Thanks for that. I am just about to change my main Apple ID to two step verification (waiting for three days to be up).
I also have two other Apple IDs, one is the from about 12 years ago using a non-Apple email, and the other I created when iCloud first appeared as a test account. I haven't used either of these for anything for years. I can't see that they pose any risk.
It would be nice if Apple allowed us to delete such accounts, but it seems to be impossible without production of a death certificate (which I have recently done for my father's Apple ID after he died).
There's some logic to Apple's not allowing deletion. If you deleted the Apple ID, then you lose any iTunes/App Store purchases, iCloud data (backups containing irreplaceable camera roll photos, contacts belonging to long-lost friends or relatives, etc.)... it's potentially a long list. As Joni Mitchell wrote (and sang),
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
Accounts can be deleted accidentally, maliciously, prematurely... they should never be easy to delete.
When I deleted my father's ID and account I was given the option to transfer ownership of his account. I didn't do this as he had made very few purchases, which would have required legal proof of entitlement. Since some people spend £$£$£$ in the iTunes store quite a lot of money could be involved.
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Apple needs to utilize the recovery key when anyone enters the Lost or Erase mode in Find My iPhone. This prevents a man in the middle because you don't use that key anywhere or anytime. And Apple needs to get the 2-step process setup everywhere. No excuse for other countries not having that capability.
Still not sure I understand. So if I set up 2FA for my iCloud Apple ID, what happens when I go to make an iTunes, App Store or Mac App Store purchase with the other Apple ID?
Nothing. Each Apple ID is a free-standing account. You can have 2FA on one Apple ID, and standard authentication on the other.
I know, shocking isn't it? :roll eyes:
Given the number of high-profile hacker attacks (e.g. Sony and others), I trust no cloud services. Sooner or later a security flaw will be found and exploited. Even if it doesn't exist yet.
Perhaps I'm paranoid. But at least I'm not blind.