iMac tale of woe

[cynics]

If Apple is so concerned about security, then why isn't file vault enabled by default?
[doublepost=1461434560][/doublepost].

It's not on by default because you'll lose everything in the event of a failed HDD/SSD or even if you forget the password.

It's because of Apples concern with security they didn't build a backdoor into iOS for the FBI. Which might I add, that backdoor would have to be shared with our (USA) allies due to various anti terrorism acts including governments we already know can't be trusted (not excluding our own) with such a powerful tool and would inevitably be sold to people defined as terrorist themselves. But yeah, Apple cares more about terrorist then you.

 

[AZhappyjack]

It's not on by default because you'll lose everything in the event of a failed HDD/SSD or even if you forget the password.

It's because of Apples concern with security they didn't build a backdoor into iOS for the FBI. Which might I add, that backdoor would have to be shared with our (USA) allies due to various anti terrorism acts including governments we already know can't be trusted with such a powerful tool and would inevitably be sold to people defined as terrorist themselves. But yeah, Apple cares more about terrorist then you.

Like our own...

 

[grcar]

It's not on by default because you'll lose everything in the event of a failed HDD/SSD or even if you forget the password.

I do not understand. If the HDD/SSD is backed up by time machine, surely you can restore. And if the HDD/SSD is not backed up, then all is lost whether encrypted or not, right?

 

[VanNess]

The soonest Apple could schedule visit to geniuses at the nearest store was next Thursday (7 days)...happy to exchange. But wait! All my private files are on that thing. I do not care about the photos

Having a hard time wrapping my head around this. If they were set to exchange, then why couldn't you just pull your old machine out of the box (and assuming they checked it, it may have already been out of the box) and erase the drive yourself at the Genius Bar right then and there? Then just take your replacement machine home and restore from the time machine backup

Oops never mind it's because you couldn't power on.

 

[grcar]

Having a hard time wrapping my head around this. If they were set to exchange, then why couldn't you just pull your old machine out of the box (and assuming they checked it, it may have already been out of the box) and erase the drive yourself at the Genius Bar right then and there? Then just take your replacement machine home and restore from the time machine backup

Oops never mind it's because you couldn't power on.

Yes.

 

[Strider64]

I personally don't have any financial records physically on my computer's hard drive. It's either on my banking website where I have to securely login or it's on old fashion paper in a log book. I also never do any secure transactions over my iPhone, for I think back to the days where I tinkered around with my pineapple device.

 

[maflynn]

Just to finish up my point from earlier in the thread, if you were to return the computer, and not have apple replace the logic board, Apple would then put the computer through their refurbishment process which would erase the hard drive. They wouldn't throw out the computer but rather prep it for sale.

 

[cynics]

I do not understand. If the HDD/SSD is backed up by time machine, surely you can restore. And if the HDD/SSD is not backed up, then all is lost whether encrypted or not, right?

There is a very high likelihood data can be recovered from a failed HDD or SSD. But not if its encrypted.
[doublepost=1461532997][/doublepost]

Like our own...

Very true. Excuse my poor wording. Edited.

 

[roadkill401]

Go out and buy a big ass electromagnet. want to wipe the machine. stick that on the back and power it up.

 

[AZhappyjack]

The data on Macs is not encrypted by default like the data on iPhones, and they're referring to a slim chance the data doesn't get erased before refurbishment, not giving your data to the FBI.

I had enabled FileVault prior to handing over my iMac yesterday, and that's really all you need to do to keep your data safe.

Actually, encryption is not enabled by default on iOS devices. It only activated when you set up a PIN/passcode. If you never do that, the contents of your device will not be encrypted.

 

[grcar]

Maybe I should say the Apple people were very nice. They decided not to refurbished the burnt-out machine, so they removed the hard drive and mounted it as an external disk on another machine. They showed us that it had been erased. They also showed us the torn-down iMac (verified the serial number) with the drive removed.

Bought a brand new machine (the high end model not the mid range model) and have been very happy.

No complaints.