We’ve got news for our macOS users! Over the past months, we have been focused on upping our game and offering more value on Apple’s platform. Thus, we’re happy to announce the release of the Apple Lock (previously only available for IOS users ) and Factory Reset features for macOS.
Both features are native Apple management tools that you can activate remotely by integrating Prey with Apple’s Push Notification service (APNs).
The Apple Lock is an alternative lock solution which utilizes Apple’s native permanent PIN lock; while the Factory Reset is also Apple’s native hard reset tool, which effectively deletes the OS and locks the Mac with a permanent PIN that avoids new OS installations, thus rendering the device useless until unlocked.
These have been released as part of all of our users on all plans, and we can’t wait for you to try them out and tell us all about it!
Where to Find Them
These new tools will be displayed on the right-hand Actions bar at the detailed view of any macOS device you have linked to your account. Simply find a Mac on your device list, and click it to access its view.
Before this release, having your macOS devices linked to an Apple Push Certificate only gave you access to the Retrieve Files and Wipe Data tools, as you can see in the screenshot below.
With the new release, you will now see our two new tools added to your Actions menu as well!
Haven’t you unlocked these tools yet?
First and foremost, you must have your devices linked to an APNs certificate that validates the use of Apple’s native administrator features and lets you enjoy these through Prey. Don’t know how to do this? Read this guide!
If you don’t have the APNs certificate, follow this link to begin the process in your account. It has all the necessary instructions you must follow, and it will only take you a minute to complete it.
Meet the Apple Lock
These feature gives you the possibility of locking your Mac with Apple’s native PIN lock-screen. The lock is instant, and you can customize the unlock password PIN.
It’s crucial to save the PIN somewhere safe to unlock it physically because without it you won’t be able to access the device.
Meet The Factory Reset
Factory Reset is a more drastic approach to the traditional data wipes Prey offers. Instead of wiping specific vulnerable data, you can restore the complete system, effectively wiping the Operating System and returning the Mac computer to its day 1 setup phase.
What’s more, the Factory Reset will protect your Mac computer with a PIN password, exactly like the Apple Lock. This ensures that not only your data is wiped and inaccessible, but the device itself is unusable until unlocked. Until then, no OS can be installed, and thus the device is disabled.
NOTE: The Factory Reset is irreversible, be cautious!
Vanessa has been Prey's Research and Data Analyst, and has worked gathering insight for our current and new features.