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Apple Patents Power Adapter That Recovers Lost Passwords

Posted by Soulskill on from the charging-for-security dept.

Sparrowvsrevolution writes "Apple has patented a power charger that also serves as a password recovery backup. If a user forgets his Macbook's password, for instance, he simply plugs in the cord, and it would provide a unique ID number stored in a memory chip in the adapter that acts as a decryption key, unscrambling an encrypted copy of the password stored on the machine. The technique, according to the patent, incentivizes better password use by avoiding traditional password recovery techniques that annoy users and lead to disabled or easily-guessed passwords. The new technique is only secure, the patent admits, in cases where the user leaves a mobile device's charger at home. So the idea may make the most sense for long-battery-life devices like iPods, iPads and iPhones rather than laptops, at least until laptop batteries last long enough that users don't take their power adapters with them and expose them to theft."

7 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. Reasonably stupid by Anrego · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well that's a reasonably stupid idea. Store the password with something many users are going to carry around with their laptop...

    And even if you didn't.. you forget your password on the road, then what? And this is less annoying than having to answer a previously entered question?

    1. Re:Reasonably stupid by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "And even if you didn't.. you forget your password on the road, then what? "

      you suffer the consequences. You know life has those.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:Reasonably stupid by RingDev · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I would admit that there are too many people who fail to acknowledge their responsibilities, but I would venture that there are even more people who make a living by convincing/tricking people into failing to acknowledge their responsibility.

      -Rick

      --
      "Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
  2. And in one move by Kazymyr · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Kills the 3rd party accessory market. Because you won't be able to get "crypto" power blocks from anyone else. Wanna bet?

    --
    I hadn't known there were so many idiots in the world until I started using the Internet -Stanislaw Lem
    1. Re:And in one move by TheGatesofBill · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Can you get Magsafe power adapters from anyone else anyways? I've never seen any, and a quick Googling says no.

    2. Re:And in one move by Speare · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'll repeat a post I wrote on this previously.

      I really liked the MagSafe(tm) concept when Apple first came out with it, but Apple has been such a fucking prick about the damned things. They don't offer any significant range of options to use the plug, and they actively stymie all attempts of the marketplace to fill that void. Want a piggy-back battery to supply power to the laptop? Apple doesn't make one. Want to tie in with a docking station? Apple doesn't make one. At first, when asked about third party adoption of the plugs, they were "oh, well, I guess they'll start coming out any time now." Then it was "oh, well, guess nobody's trying to license them." Then when manufacturers tried to license them, they were refused. So one manufacturer decided to eat the waste and rely on the doctrine of First Sale. They BOUGHT Apple(tm) adapters, chopped off the white wallwart transformer, and soldered the MagSafe(tm) pigtail to their own battery packs, and they were still attacked by Apple's lawyers. WTF, Apple. People have varying needs to make use of your products. Step up to offer the solution, or get out of the way.

      --
      [ .sig file not found ]
  3. So, Apple think all their users are single... by PSVMOrnot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Security is only as strong as it's weakest password recovery method.

    This whole idea completely forgets that the whole purpose of your password might be to stop you little-brother/offspring/tech-illiterate-housemate (ie: anyone who lives with you) from screwing up your device.