Protect macbook with Open Firmware password

Hi. I'd like to protect my MacBook air by enable an Open Firmware password.
How can I do it ?

Open Firmware was available in PowerPC-based Macs, so your MacBook Air hasn't got it. Instead, it's a EFI firmware password, that will ask you for a password every time you want to start in a mode different than the normal one (without holding any key while your Mac is starting up).
To enable it, hold Command and R keys while your Mac is starting to start up into OS X Recovery. Then, go to Utilities menu (on the menu bar) > Firmware Password Utility, and enable it.
Don't forget the password. Only Apple knows how to reset it, so you will have problems

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Can you still access Windows partition with open firmware password installed?

Can you still access Windows partition with open firmware password installed? If so, do you still use the Option key upon restart?

I don't use Bootcamp. However, I do know that with a firmware password, pressing the option key at startup will cause the password entry screen to come up; after entering the password, you will get the boot device choice screen.
So, if Bootcamp partitions normally show up on that screen then it should work just fine, or so I'd imagine.

Zap PRAM with Open Firmware Password?

I'm wondering if there is any way to do this...
I have an older MacBook that had some kind of issue recently, that first prevented it from booting at all, and after resetting the SMC it would boot but the screen is black...
I remember from many years ago that there was an issue with the screen staying black that would be fixed by zapping the pram...
Problem is the system has an Open Firmware password. And while I do know what that passowrd is, it's kind of impossible to go in and disble it with a black screen...
In essense, is there any possible way I can zap the PRAM that doesn't involve psychicly guessing what I'm doing???

I'm fully aware of the key combination. The problem is when Open Firmware password is enabled, holding CMD-OPT-P-R has no effect.... The only way I know to be able to use the key combiantion is to disalbe the Open Firmware password first, then reboot and hold hte keys down.
Which is where my problem lies, as I can't zap the PRAM until I disable my Open Firmware password, and I can't go though the steps to disable my Open Firmware password until after I zap the PRAM in order to re-enable my screen...

Help with Open Firmware Password Utility

Hi,
I tried to run the Open Firmware Password Utility on Kittendaddy's indigo iMac (running Tiger 10.4.11) and nothing happened. The app acted like it was going to open, but didn't.
I found the app here: www.apple.com/support/downloads/openfirmwarepassword.html
What did I do wrong?
Thanks in advance!

Thanks, everyone. Unfortunately, it looks like Kittendaddy's iMac may have died the true death earlier tonight (and it had nothing to do with trying to install the open firmware password utility!). I just hope I can get it to start up one last time so I can get his music off it.

Intel iMac, Open Firmware Password Protection and booting from CD

I have an Intel iMac I'm setting up for use in a public library. I want to prevent single user login with the Open Firmware Password Protection utility, but if I do, how do I boot from the OS disc, zap PRAM, etc? The OFPP page has instructions on removing the OF password, but it does not work on Intel Mac's. Also, is there an alternative way to prevent single user login?

No, you were right, I just misunderstood. Technically it's called single-user mode. But, you were right.
Anyway,
Since it seems that there might not be an answer directly related to your topic you could maybe give this a try.
In Simple Finder the user can not restart or shutdown. They can only sleep and log out.
The other problem, however, is if they log out then there are those Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down buttons on the login screen. Luckily, though they can be turned off.
So as of now, if some is logged in in a Simple Finder account they can not restart or shut down the computer in order to get into single-user mode. They can also not get into the Administer account since it is password protected.
The only problem I can see with this is that a person could do a hard shut down, hold the power button down until it turns off, and then boot up and enter single-user mode.
If you want to go ahead and do this, in order to get the computer up and running in the mean time, just post back and I'll be glad to help you set up a Simple Finder account.

Open Firmware Password Protection?

Anyone had any luck setting this up? I don't see it on the DVD... I am hesitant to use the one from my Tiger CDs... anyone know how to setup Open Firmware Password Protection on Leopard?

Thanks for detailing your solution Mac Campbell.
Unfortunately I can't locate the Firmware Password Protection application in the directory you listed nor any other folder for that matter. I'm not confident its been installed on my system (clean install of Leopard btw). Could you please confirm its exact location for this Terminal newbie.
Many thanks in advance.
Steve

Open Firmware password works or doesn't work on MBP?

I'm confused...
This article describes how to set up Open Firmware Password on Macs, including, Intel-based Macs and even states what OFP disables on Intel-based Macs when enabled:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482
just to finish the article at the bottom with the following sentence:
"Note that Intel-based Macintosh computers do not use Open Firmware. Thesesteps do not apply to Intel-based machines."
So, what is what? OFP works or not on MBP? If yes then what works and what doesn't?
I've read one post here stating that it didn't stop booting from CD at all.
An expert advice will be appreciated.

I'm another confused MBP user.
I have a 15" MacBook Pro (MBP) and want to protect the Intel based machine using Apple's Open Firmware Application.
Since the MBP doesn't have an open firmware layer, how do you apply a firmware password? Apple's site is of no help and has conflicting information.
I tried the OF Application (V 1.1) from the Tiger install DVD and receive a message about my firmware being too old to use with the application. The MBP SMC version is 1.2f10 and the Boot ROM is version MBP11.0055.B03. Both are current.
Has anyone been successful???
thanks

Open Firmware Password..oops

Today I decided to see if the startup disc on my external HD was working properly. I went to System Preferences and clicked over to the Maxtor as my prefered choice. I did not click the lock at the bottom. I then clicked Restart, everything on the desktop dismounted and the screen went dark and then came back up with the gray screen with the spinning wheel....and stayed there.
I noticed that there was a circle with a line through it and then I noticed that my iPod was still connected, it was dismounted and charging.
I shut off the power, to the iMac, disconnected the iPod and turned the power back on, and the gray screen with flashing folder with a question mark appeared.
I went to the MacBook and did a search in the discussions and the only thing I could find out was that I needed to boot from the install discs, hence the oops.
I have Undercover installed, and part of their setup is to enable the Open Firmware Password.
How can I get my iMac up and running if I can't use the install discs or target disc mode?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ddougYo, I have the Orbicule software on 5 MAcs (it nearly got one that was stolen back for me too) and also had its predecessor, Lapcop which also used the Open Firmware Password utility.
You are not going to be able to boot up until you can get through the Firmware Password Utility and there are only two ways: the password itself, or the method that Baltwo has suggested. If the password is not working then you have possibly not entered it correctly.
If, for some strange (unidentified) reason that is not the case, then Baltwo's solution is all you have left. Have a look at the manual: getting the iMac's RAM out should not be hard. Do you have one or two modules? If one, try putting it in the other slot.

HELP NEEDED URGENTLY .... please! (open firmware password vs. startup disc)

Hi
1. Macbook Pro 2.33 - I had Bootcamp installed.
2. Decided to delete it... went through Bootcamp procedure
3. Mac restarted - then came up with a flashing folder icon, meaning it couldn't find the startup drive.
4. Forced restart again... and tried pressing ALT key to select Macintosh_HD - it asked for my OPEN FIRMWARE PASSWORD - i only ever use 1 password - I know exactly what this is, as I had turned it on/off before by going to utilities>open firmware.
I don't want to take RAM out... is there another way? I thought if a CD was put in it could trick firmware... by pressing the space bar... though it didn't work
I'm stumped! Anybody willing to help?
Thanks loads in advance!
Pixel.

Boot from Install DVD1 holding down 'C'
Then 'Reset Password' ?
or ...
1. Start up into Open Firmware by pressing and
holding the Command-Option-O-F key combination
during startup.
2. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
3. Press Return.
4. When prompted for your password, enter it and
press the Return key.
5. It responds OK.
6. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
7. Press Return.
This only works with PPC Macs. I have been looking for a way to do something similar with my MBP and have been unsuccessful thus far.
Frank

Has Anything Replaced Open Firmware Password?

Has Anything Replaced Open Firmware Password?

It's a loaded question you're using in someways. If what you mean is, "Is there an Open Firmware equivalent for Intel-based Macs?" then the answer is yes. See the following Apple KB article for full details: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1352
======
YES, that's what I meant. I have a late 2010 MacBook Pro w/ Core-i7 CPU
I read the article and I find confusing info. In one paragraph it says Intel Macs use EFI and in the following paragraph It says "Any Intel Based Mac" can use Open Firmware*
"All Intel-based Macintosh computers support firmware password protection.
The following Apple computers can use the Open Firmware Password application:
▪ iMac (Slot Loading) and later models of G3 iMac
▪ iMac (Flat Panel) and later models of G4 iMac
▪ iMac G5 and later models of G5 iMac
▪ iBook - all models, both G3- and G4-based
▪ eMac - all models
▪ PowerBook (FireWire)
▪ PowerBook G4 and later models of G4 PowerBook
▪ Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) and later models of G4 Power Mac
▪ Power Mac G4 Cube - all models
▪ Power Mac G5 and later models of G5 Power Mac
▪ Any Intel-based Mac*
▪ MacBook Air: see MacBook Air: Recovering a lost EFI firmware password"
So do I use Open Firmware or EFI?
"Apple make up your mind please..."

Removing open firmware password -- too easy?

I've had an open firmware password set on my computer for the last two years to provide some protection for client data stored on it. But last night I had to do some troubleshooting using startup commands, so I wanted to temporarily remove the password. I found instructions for removing it by booting into open firmware (command-option-o-f), but this startup sequence did nothing.
Eventually I booted from the Snow Leopard system CD and opened the Open Firmware Password utility. This utility had a simple checkbox that let me remove the password, without entering the current password. Is it really that easy to remove the open firmware password? If so, I don't think it's worth the occasional inconvenience of keeping it on there.

There's nothing you can do to prevent a determined hacker with physical access to your machine from getting access to everything on your hard drive. What you should do, however, is make sure that any information that is sensitive is encrypted. You could use an encrypted disk image made with Disk Utility for this purpose... many do. Also, note that your keychain is encrypted and thus passwords and other things stored there are safe... but only as long as you do not auto-login with an auto-unlocking keychain or leave yourself logged in with the keychain unlocked. Although your account password could be reset by someone with the right knowledge who wanted in, this does NOT affect the keychain password.

Open Firmware Password Setup without installation dvd?

An early 2009 macbook didn't come with a dvd when purchased. How do I setup Open Firmware Password, without an OS installation dvd? Can I download the utility or do I need to buy the dvd?

The utility only works on a DVD (I tried already). In fact, you can't open it unless it's on the DVD AND you are booting from the DVD (I tried already).
So no, you cannot download it. If you have the serial number Apple should supply the recovery discs, though.

Open Firmware Password option in Lion?

When I upgraded to Lion on my mid-2009 MacBook Pro yesterday, I discovered that the Open Firmware app from Snow Leopard no longer works. Is there an Open Firmware Password app for Lion? Normally, I'd pull it from the disk after install, but obviously there's no disk for Lion. Thanks for you help!

It might be easy to circumvent, but I didn't say you had to use only this password...
It is an additional protection...
And if your Mac gets stolen by someone who is less an expert, he won't be able to (easily) reinstall anything on your Mac...

Open Firmware Password; not on Snowy Upgrade DVD; how do I get hold of it?

hey;
my MBP15 came with 10.5 & i got the snowy upgrade dvd from apple; there's no Open Firmware Password utility on the upgrade DVD (i even searched using pacifist) and it cannot be downloaded from apple's downloads. this seems a serious omission since i protect my mac (somewhat) with it.
does anyone know how i can get it, since i think it's pretty product specific; if it's actually different from the version on the original 10.5 disk that shipped with the machine or would some kind soul with the same machine (MacBookPro5,1 MBP51.007E.B05) have to share it with me?

actually, don't trust me; i'm wrong.
thank you so much, roam! you do indeed have to boot from the dvd!
what had me fooled is that pacifist didn't find it, and it used to be a discrete file which you could simply drag from the utilities folder of the install disk on to your mac.
i have now enabled the firmware password!
thanks again!

Any one know how to reset the open firmware password?

iBook G4. 1.33ghz. 1GB RAM.30 or 40GB HDD. Running 10.5.8
I got this from a friend, who got it from a friend. And its acting funny. It works. But a lot of options are missing from the System Preferences pane. And another friend said to reset the NVRAM and all the setting in the open firmware. Only no one seems to know the open firmware password. And I can't seem to find how you'd reset all the setting in the open firmware. I'm working on locating the installation disks for this iBook. But will that even help me with this resetting open firmware business?

I did a google search and here is one link that might have some helpful information -
http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?mainpage=document_general_info&productsid=69&zenid=74f4076fb96074db45dc274f7de86bc6

Protect macbook with Open Firmware password

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