Remote disabling: Difference between revisions

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Apple employs several systems to control device authorization:

'''Activation lock:''' Part of Apple's "Find My" system, Activation Lock ties devices to an Apple ID. If a device is reported lost or stolen, it can be remotely locked, making it unusable even after a factory reset. This requires the original owner's Apple ID and password to reactivate.

'''Activation lock:''' Part of Apple's "Find My" system, Activation Lock ties devices to an Apple ID. If a device is reported lost or stolen, it can be remotely locked, making it unusable even after a factory reset. This requires the original owner's Apple ID and password to reactivate.<ref>NWIDA (April 12, 2024). [https://nwida.org/what-is-apple-activation-lock-and-should-repair-shops-be-worried#:~:text=Apple%20will%20also%20extend%20its,stolen%20iPhone%20from%20being%20reactivated "What is Apple Activation Lock and should repair shops be worried?"]. ''NWIDA''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref><ref name=":0">Apple (September 18, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/security/activation-lock-security-sec0f8dfd030/web "Activation Lock security"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>

'''[[iCloud]] activation:''' macOS devices (MacBooks, iMacs) require periodic authentication with Apple's servers. If a device is flagged in Apple's systems it may be locked out during these server checks.

'''[[iCloud]] activation:''' macOS devices (MacBooks, iMacs) require periodic authentication with Apple's servers. If a device is flagged in Apple's systems it may be locked out during these server checks.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Hardwick, Tim (January 27, 2023). [https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/27/2020-macs-landfill/ "Two-year-old Macs are being sent to the landfill because of Activation Lock"]. ''9to5Mac''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>

'''T2 and Apple silicon security:''' Modern MacBooks with T2 chips or Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 processors) include firmware-level security that communicates with Apple servers during boot and recovery operations. This can prevent device use if Apple's servers indicate the device should be locked.

'''T2 and Apple silicon security:''' Modern MacBooks with T2 chips or Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 processors) include firmware-level security that communicates with Apple servers during boot and recovery operations. This can prevent device use if Apple's servers indicate the device should be locked.<ref>Apple (September 18, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/security/the-secure-enclave-sec59b0b31ff/web "The Secure Enclave"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>

'''Mobile device management (MDM):''' Organizations using Apple Business Manager can remotely manage, lock, or wipe devices. If purchased through corporate or educational programs, devices may have MDM profiles that persist even after resale.

'''Mobile device management (MDM):''' Organizations using Apple Business Manager can remotely manage, lock, or wipe devices. If purchased through corporate or educational programs, devices may have MDM profiles that persist even after resale.<ref>Apple (March 1, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/lock-and-locate-devices-depb980a0be4/web "Lock and locate devices"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref><ref>Apple (September 16, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/erase-devices-dep0a819891e/web "Erase devices"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>

===Microsoft's mechanisms===

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 Apple employs several systems to control device authorization:
-'''Activation lock:''' Part of Apple's "Find My" system, Activation Lock ties devices to an Apple ID. If a device is reported lost or stolen, it can be remotely locked, making it unusable even after a factory reset. This requires the original owner's Apple ID and password to reactivate.
+'''Activation lock:''' Part of Apple's "Find My" system, Activation Lock ties devices to an Apple ID. If a device is reported lost or stolen, it can be remotely locked, making it unusable even after a factory reset. This requires the original owner's Apple ID and password to reactivate.<ref>NWIDA (April 12, 2024). [https://nwida.org/what-is-apple-activation-lock-and-should-repair-shops-be-worried#:~:text=Apple%20will%20also%20extend%20its,stolen%20iPhone%20from%20being%20reactivated "What is Apple Activation Lock and should repair shops be worried?"]. ''NWIDA''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref><ref name=":0">Apple (September 18, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/security/activation-lock-security-sec0f8dfd030/web "Activation Lock security"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>
-'''[[iCloud]] activation:''' macOS devices (MacBooks, iMacs) require periodic authentication with Apple's servers. If a device is flagged in Apple's systems it may be locked out during these server checks.
+'''[[iCloud]] activation:''' macOS devices (MacBooks, iMacs) require periodic authentication with Apple's servers. If a device is flagged in Apple's systems it may be locked out during these server checks.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Hardwick, Tim (January 27, 2023). [https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/27/2020-macs-landfill/ "Two-year-old Macs are being sent to the landfill because of Activation Lock"]. ''9to5Mac''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>
-'''T2 and Apple silicon security:''' Modern MacBooks with T2 chips or Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 processors) include firmware-level security that communicates with Apple servers during boot and recovery operations. This can prevent device use if Apple's servers indicate the device should be locked.
+'''T2 and Apple silicon security:''' Modern MacBooks with T2 chips or Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 processors) include firmware-level security that communicates with Apple servers during boot and recovery operations. This can prevent device use if Apple's servers indicate the device should be locked.<ref>Apple (September 18, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/security/the-secure-enclave-sec59b0b31ff/web "The Secure Enclave"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>
-'''Mobile device management (MDM):''' Organizations using Apple Business Manager can remotely manage, lock, or wipe devices. If purchased through corporate or educational programs, devices may have MDM profiles that persist even after resale.
+'''Mobile device management (MDM):''' Organizations using Apple Business Manager can remotely manage, lock, or wipe devices. If purchased through corporate or educational programs, devices may have MDM profiles that persist even after resale.<ref>Apple (March 1, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/lock-and-locate-devices-depb980a0be4/web "Lock and locate devices"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref><ref>Apple (September 16, 2024). [https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/erase-devices-dep0a819891e/web "Erase devices"]. ''Apple Support''. Retrieved March 25, 2026.</ref>
 ===Microsoft's mechanisms===