Apple plans to protect its products from theft by storing a password in the charger

The other day Apple has patented a method that is designed to increase the security of user data if, unfortunately, their device was lost or stolen.

The following reasoning is given in the patent number 2012/0005747: "... If the password for the device is either complex or difficult to recover, then the buyer will either refuse it or use it too simple." Therefore, if a device is lost or stolen, an attacker is very likely to gain unlimited access to a Macbook or iPhone without any problems.

Further, Apple argues, since customers most often lose the devices themselves, rather than their “charges,” it is proposed to do the following: the charger is equipped with a certain memory module that stores either an encrypted password or a passphrase (“What was your first teacher’s name” ) When an attacker turns on a stolen laptop with a standard prompt to enter a password, he will see, in addition to the usual confirmation button, the “Forgot password” button, which will require him to connect a “charge”, in which either the password or passphrase key is stored. If this happens, then authentication will be performed using the data of the connected “charging” and, obviously, either the legitimate owner or the prudent thief who could steal everything from the gapeous owner at once works with the laptop.

The technology will also work with smartphones.

[ Patent - pdf]