Blake231

Q: Is it possible to password protect safe mode?

Hi everyone,

 

So I am wondering if it is possible to place a password when booting into safe mode on my Mac. Let me explain a little more. I know that the accounts are all their and you can place passwords on the user accounts, but here is my problem. I use k9 web filtering and when you boot up in safe mode it does not work and you have unfiltred access to the internet. Is it possible to only allow the system admin to boot into safe mode with a password so no one else would have access? Its a work around the filter I am trying to block. I would really apprecite any help or ideas to solve this. Thank you!

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 6, 2012 11:46 AM

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Q: Is it possible to password protect safe mode?

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  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Jun 6, 2012 11:49 AM in response to Blake231
    Level 9 (54,326 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 6, 2012 11:49 AM in response to Blake231

    Maybe an older linkbut it's a starter:

     

    Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

  • by Blake231,

    Blake231 Blake231 Jun 6, 2012 12:14 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 6, 2012 12:14 PM in response to Limnos

    Thanks! This actually sounds like what I need. The only problem I have now is I can't find my install dist to be able to set up Open Firmware Password. I think a friend of my mistakenly took it. Do you know if there is someone it can be downloaded?

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 6, 2012 1:06 PM in response to Blake231
    Level 9 (54,326 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 6, 2012 1:06 PM in response to Blake231

    10.7 Lion never came on a disc.  I run 10.4 so I can't check this but check your recovery partition as in:

     

    Lion - Disk Utility - https://discussions.apple.com/message/16925522 - repairing your drive using Disk Utility on Lion's recovery partition.

     

    Just make sure you want to set EFI password.  Other ways leave a backdoor in case you forget your password.  If you get hit by a truck nobody is going to get into this one (not sure if an Apple Service place can reset it).

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 6, 2012 12:55 PM in response to Blake231
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 6, 2012 12:55 PM in response to Blake231

    Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.

     

    When the Recovery screen appears, select Utilities > Firmware Password Utility from the menu bar.

  • by Blake231,

    Blake231 Blake231 Jun 6, 2012 5:56 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 6, 2012 5:56 PM in response to Linc Davis

    This appears to have solved my problem. So when I hold down shift at boot up it does not go into safe mode. Is that the way it is suppose to work? Or should it still start to launch in safe mode, but ask for a password?

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 6, 2012 6:07 PM in response to Blake231
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 6, 2012 6:07 PM in response to Blake231

    I haven't tried this myself, but my understanding is that you can't boot in safe mode at all with a firmware password set.

  • by Blake231,

    Blake231 Blake231 Jun 7, 2012 12:12 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 7, 2012 12:12 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you! This solved my problem. It appears that holding shift does not do anything! I appreciate everyones help.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jun 7, 2012 12:58 PM in response to Blake231
    Level 9 (54,326 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 7, 2012 12:58 PM in response to Blake231

    As I noted earlier, this is a very low level (meaning high security feature -- but it does not protect the hard drive should somebody steal the computer, but could well stop them from using the computer itself for anything).  It acts on the very computer hardware itself.  It will also stop a number of other features that you may need to repair or get access to your computer so do not lose your password!