Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
my friends mac book pro won't let him login.
instead of asking him for a password, it asks for a four digit code.
theres a ”apple.help@gmx.com” link below the code entry form to contact.
is this ransom ware?
he tried booting using cmd+R while powering up, but an image of a padlock
and the four digit code entry form appeared instead of a login screen.
what should he do?
thanks!
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), 13"
Problem solved.
Apple Corporation locked my friend's computer. Why? Who knows!
My friend brought the locked mac book pro into an Apple store, and they had to keep it for a few days until Apple Corp unlocked it.
This lock is apparently a firmware lock, and you can't even revert to a time capsule backup until the machine is unlocked.
Not sure why Apple locked this computer, as my friend did not report it stolen nor did he lock it himself. We suspect it had something to do with the fact he had purchased a used Apple watch a day or so before this computer was locked by Apple. The seller of the Apple watch did not initially remove it from his iCloud list of devices and my friend had to work with the seller and with Apple to get the watch properly transferred over to my friend, the watch buyer.
Anyway, my friend is off to the Apple store to pick up his computer, hopefully unlocked now, and fully working.
Edit: My friend wasn't charged for this fix.
The Apple store told my friend that Apple Corp locked his computer.
They didn't say why.
They didn't explain the strange email address either.
I suspect they aren't telling the complete story here.
You have to take it to the Apple store. See my note above as to how I think the hackers were able to do it. It will be fine - Apple can get you back in.
Max book pro requires four digit code to login
