data protection when sending macbook to warranty

[emailsodelixo]

is there a way to encrypt the ssd data when i turn in the macbook to assistence? and if that's possible, will this hinder the repair of a camera not working？

macbook pro 13' A1708 with no camera green light for almost 2 years

thx

 

[jz0309]

is there a way to encrypt the ssd data when i turn in the macbook to assistence? and if that's possible, will this hinder the repair of a camera not working？

macbook pro 13' A1708 with no camera green light for almost 2 years

thx

Backup your data and erase your harddrive

 

[smoking monkey]

Backup your data and erase your harddrive

That’s the best step. But if the OP doesn’t want to erase their entire hard disk they can use file utility to make secure password protected folders. Just make sure you remember the password other that data is pretty much done. Here is a step by step…

How to Password Protect Folders on Mac - Make Tech Easier

Folders can't be directly encrypted, but you can put them in password-protected containers. Learn how to password protect folders on Mac!

www.maketecheasier.com

Good luck!

 

[emailsodelixo]

That’s the best step. But if the OP doesn’t want to erase their entire hard disk they can use file utility to make secure password protected folders. Just make sure you remember the password other that data is pretty much done. Here is a step by step…

How to Password Protect Folders on Mac - Make Tech Easier

Folders can't be directly encrypted, but you can put them in password-protected containers. Learn how to password protect folders on Mac!

www.maketecheasier.com

Good luck!

what about passwords/browsing history from chrome? do you recon its enough to logout of chrome and clean browsing history? thx in advance

 

[smoking monkey]

what about passwords/browsing history from chrome? do you recon its enough to logout of chrome and clean browsing history? thx in advance

Good question. Not sure exactly but cleaning the cache and maybe deleting some plists? Dunno. Hopefully somebody who knows can answer.

 

[Slartibart]

as @jz0309 sad: make a backup.

If you think that the repair service will scan trough your account, create a new one and save&deactivate/remove the old one.

 

[chrfr]

is there a way to encrypt the ssd data when i turn in the macbook to assistence? and if that's possible, will this hinder the repair of a camera not working？

macbook pro 13' A1708 with no camera green light for almost 2 years

thx

If you enable FileVault Apple won't be able to access any data on the disk without your password, and in my experience they do not ask for your password when repairing the computer.

 

[jav6454]

is there a way to encrypt the ssd data when i turn in the macbook to assistence? and if that's possible, will this hinder the repair of a camera not working？

macbook pro 13' A1708 with no camera green light for almost 2 years

thx

You can download a data eraser program that will write 0 to all sectors/pages ~30 times.

 

[chrfr]

You can download a data eraser program that will write 0 to all sectors/pages ~30 times.

Those don't necessarily work with Apple's SSDs, and also put a lot of unnecessary wear on the drive. FileVault is a much better option.

 

[jav6454]

Those don't necessarily work with Apple's SSDs, and also put a lot of unnecessary wear on the drive. FileVault is a much better option.

Wear? Perhaps a few KB as it's just writing zeros to pages. As per on working on Apple SSDs, if there is a Mac app, it'll work. Agreed that FireVault is an option as well.

 

[chrfr]

Wear? Perhaps a few KB as it's just writing zeros to pages. As per on working on Apple SSDs, if there is a Mac app, it'll work. Agreed that FireVault is an option as well.

These tools don't necessarily write zeros to every cell on an SSD, which is why they don't work:

How to: Delete Your Data Securely on macOS

We are in the process of updating several guides, including this one, and are aware that some of this information is out of date. Note: Modern versions of macOS will prompt you to use FileVault 2 to encrypt your entire drive. We highly recommend you take this step to protect...

ssd.eff.org

How to Securely Erase an SSD Without Damaging the Drive

Securely wiping an SSD requires new methods. Overwriting data on an SSD is not a viable sanitation option. Find out how to securely erase an SSD.

eshop.macsales.com

This is also why encryption is strongly preferred over reliance on a so-called secure erase.

 

[now i see it]

I sent my MacBook in to Apple for extended warranty keyboard replacement.
If internal drive is set up with File Vault encryption there’s no way anyone can access data on it without a password- and they don’t ask for it and providing it is not required.

There’s no need to erase the drive before sending it in.

 

[burgman]

I sent my MacBook in to Apple for extended warranty keyboard replacement.
If internal drive is set up with File Vault encryption there’s no way anyone can access data on it without a password- and they don’t ask for it and providing it is not required.

There’s no need to erase the drive before sending it in.

To say that about any manufacture who writes the code is believing in magic. It all depends on the sensitivity of the contents. If the OP is concerned best bet is setup MacBook to be sold with a time machine backup.