Essential Steps To Set Up the Firmware Password on Your Mac: Secure Your Mac With An Additional Layer of Security

There is no doubt that the Mac devices have quite good and safe built-in security systems. This is the reason why these devices have fewer issues with the viruses and the malware than most of the other computing platforms. But then also, if your Mac is stolen then someone can gain physical access to it and your data may be stolen. Though many of the Mac users have already taken some basic precautions like securing their Mac’s user accounts with stronger passwords that are difficult to trace and by using a full-disk encryption system like FileVault 2. For users who require an additional layer of security, they can set a firmware password on Mac.

But before you proceed to set a firmware password, you need to make sure that it should not be the same as your general computer password or your administrator password. Also, keep in mind to check your num lock key and caps key before creating or modifying any password. So that you are being prevented from making mistakes.

An Insight into the Firmware Password

A mac firmware password is actually a password which is set within the EFI firmware of the Mac device and is separate from the OS. Once it is configured, it will prevent your Mac device to boot from the Recovery Mode, Target Disk Mode, Single User Mode or booting through an external drive. Moreover, it offers a higher level of security to your Mac because it’s quite tough to reset the OS password and thus, it keeps your data protected.

If you want to secure your data and want to protect it with an additional level of security, then the best way is to set a firmware password on your Mac. This will also ensure that your data will be impenetrable.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Set Up the Firmware Password on Your Mac:

For proper setting up and enabling the firmware password option, Apple provides a utility tool. This utility tool is not a part of OS X. You need to either enable this by using an install DVD or by using the Recovery HD partition. Thus, if you want to access the firmware password utility, you should reboot your Mac. You can do so either through DVD or through the Recovery HD partition.

Before you proceed on, you should remember that if your computer does not have removable RAM, then its daunting task to reset this password once you lose it. Keeping this in mind, this is how you will start the process of setting up the firmware password mac.

Boot Using an Install DVD

You can go for this procedure if you are running OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or its earlier version. For that, insert the install DVD at first. Then, you should restart your Mac by holding down the “C” key. This will start the OS X installer but don’t worry as this will be using only one of the utilities of the installer. After that, choose your language and click on the Continue button. Then, scroll down below to go to the “Setting the Firmware Password” section.

Also read: Fix for Your Xbox One Software Problems

Boot Using the Recovery HD

You can boot from the Recovery HD if you are using OS X 10.7 ( Lion). Restart your Mac by holding Command + R for about five seconds. This will turn on your Mac and your Recovery HD desktop will appear. Visit the setting the Firmware password section. From there, select the language and then, click on the right arrow.

Follow the Steps Described Below to Set the Firmware Password:

After booting up your Mac, you need to go through the below mentioned steps.  This will continue the process of setting up the firmware password:

1. First of all, select Firmware Password Utility from the Utilities menu at the top of the screen
2. This will open the Firmware Password Utilities window.  It will also give you information that if you turn on the firmware password, it will restrict your Mac from starting up via a different drive without a password.
3. Then, hit on the Turn On Firmware Password button on your computer.
4. After that, you will get a drop-down sheet where you need to enter the password of your choice in the New Password field. Then, verify the entered password by typing a second time.
5. After confirmation, click the Set Password button to apply it to the firmware. But it is always recommended to set a stronger password od at least 8 characters including both numbers and letters. However, be sure that you remember it because there is no other way to recover it.
6. The Firmware Password Utility will let you know that the password protection is enabled.
7. As soon as, it assures you, you are required to click on the Quit Firmware Password Utility button.
8. Next, go to the top left of the screen and select the Apple menu.
9. Finally, you need to restart your Mac for finishing up the process.

After performing these steps you will be able to use your Mac normally.  However, you will not be encountering any difference in using your Mac, until and unless you use a keyboard shortcut. If you want to test the firmware password, then during startup you need to hold down the option key. Then, you will be asked to provide the firmware password.

Bottom Line

Thus, by following the steps described above, you can easily and successfully set a firmware password on your Mac. Once you have completed the above procedure of setting up a firmware password, your Mac device will be secured against any such unauthorized access.