Woe is me...

[Charles Martin]

> From: PaulKurtz III <paulkurtz at mac.com>
>
> I don't even have OS X, but am I the only one who sees this as a major
> security risk?
>
> Paul
>
>> Don't bother. Just reset it:
>>
>> 1. Boot up from OS X CD.
>> 2. Ignore main screen and go to the "File" menu in menubar.
>> 3. Select "Reset Master Password."

Yes, I think you're (almost) the only one. First of all, let's think 
about how few thieves would know Mac OS X well enough to know this. The 
program is NOT obvious to most people running the CD!

Second, let's think about the likelihood that a person would have BOTH 
physical access to your machine AND an OS X retail boot disk WITHOUT 
you knowing about it.

Finally, let's think about how safe ANY computer is if a ne'er-do-well 
has physical access to it.

It's a *small* risk, certainly. But then so is ever taking a laptop 
computer out of your house. Or out of the box, for that matter.

Neither Apple nor you nor anyone else can absolutely prevent malicious 
incidents. We can just take common-sense steps to reduce the risk, not 
eliminate it. I think Apple has taken reasonable steps given that:

a) enough people forget their password as to make having a 
password-reset utility a necessity.
b) they have not made it very obvious.
c) Thieves tend to be PC users. <puts on flame suit> They may covet 
your Mac, but they'll never have the smarts to figure out how to break 
into it.

_Chas_
Come to  ... The CHASbah!
http://thechasbah.blogspot.com

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