Apple Users

Last edited Wed Feb 13, 2019, 02:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Note that if you do not have "FileVault" enabled, then it is really trivial to get to all of your disk contents even without your password. If FileVault is off, then the disk is unencrypted, and you can boot the Mac in "target disk mode" and just cable it into a different Mac ... where it will appear as an external disk.

If you're worried about security on your Mac, then enable FileVault (in System prefs, Security & Privacy, FileVault) and make sure you (1) don't forget your password and (2) also print out and save the "recovery password."

Of course, once FileVault is enabled, if you lose your password and the "recovery password," you're seriously out of luck. The contents are gone and even Apple won't be able to get your files back.

(I'm ignoring here the issues of keeping a good backup with TimeMachine and encrypting those backup files as well.)

Btw I've never had to wait very long for a Genius Bar when I've made an appointment. And I doubt very much that they need your password to replace a battery.