Security involved in leaving a laptop on???

[Mr. D]

Is there a security consideration to leaving a LapTop on without being logged on to a browser??

 

[ferrarr]

A browser is for you to browse the internet, so if no one is using your computer, then it is secure. Unless you think someone might be trying to get into your pc from the internet or your home network?

 

[Rod]

Assuming that the device goes to sleep when left unattended for a while and that your admin password is required when it's woken to access any apps there is no security issue even if your browser is on unless as ferrarr mentions you are worried about remote logons. I'm not sure what you mean when you say, "without being logged on to a browser". If you are referring to logging onto Google in the case of the Chrome browser or Mozilla in the case of Firefox it really makes no difference.

 

[Mr. D]

To clarify, I mean... If I shut down Safari & then simply close the MacBook Pro in half.... without shutting it down... does that open me to great risk of hacking into my files?

Thanx for answers in advance!

Mustang Dave

 

[Cr00zng]

To clarify, I mean... If I shut down Safari & then simply close the MacBook Pro in half.... without shutting it down... does that open me to great risk of hacking into my files?

Thanx for answers in advance!

Mustang Dave

The short answer.... it's a judgment call that depends on the network the Macbook Pro is connected to.

If you trust the network, such as home, friends, work, etc., it should be just fine. Connect the laptop to hotel and other free networks on the other hand, it may not be. Especially, if the hotel has an ongoing security conference...

I used to attend security conferences and always carried my wireless broadband router. The router was wired to the hotel's network and my laptop connected to the router's wifi network. Doing so also allowed to share the internet access with my wife as well, if she traveled with me.

Personally, I prefer not to leave unattended laptops running for a longer time period even in trusted networks. As such, even Windows desktops are cut off the network if they are unattended for couple hours. While the desktop isn't shut off, the firewall settings are changed to high filtering that blocks all in and outbound connections. Admittedly, this is going a bit overboard, but it's each of its own...

 

[Carly Swinson]

Depends on the surrounding where you are working. if there are people around who can access your laptop and work with it then you should lock your OS before you leave.

 

[IWT]

To clarify, I mean... If I shut down Safari & then simply close the MacBook Pro in half.... without shutting it down... does that open me to great risk of hacking into my files?

Thanx for answers in advance!

Mustang Dave

Hi,

Personally, I would never leave my MacBook without putting it to sleep or shutting it down - and I would set it up that a log in PW (usually your Admin PW) was needed to gain access whether asleep or shutdown.

Ian

 

[Raz0rEdge]

To clarify, I mean... If I shut down Safari & then simply close the MacBook Pro in half.... without shutting it down... does that open me to great risk of hacking into my files?

Thanx for answers in advance!

Mustang Dave

As others have stated, you should enable the screen lock after sleep (Security & Privacy in System Preferences) and that way when you close the lid and open it again later on, you will be prompted for your password to use the machine. Powering the device on would require your password anyway.

With this security in place, it doesn't matter if you left apps running or not since without your password, no one can get in.

In general, employ common sense when in public with a piece of hardware that's quite expensive.

 

[pm-r]

Is there a security consideration to leaving a LapTop on without being logged on to a browser??

For home use, which I believe is where you "work", I'd be very surprised if anyone could or would try to access your Mac, but just put it to Sleep mode to be extra safe.




- Patrick
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[Mr. D]

I'm not concerned with someone accessing my computer physically. I'm referring to someone getting into my files "over the internet" if I simply log off Safari & then simply close the lid of the laptop for a period of time! Up to now I always shut down when I stop using the computer. My question is about "What increased level of risk is involved... if I just log out of Safari & simply close the lid for a couple of hours??

Thanx in advance for any returns,

 

[Raz0rEdge]

When you close the lid, the computer goes to sleep which means it is totally inaccessible (and not operating) during that time. When you open the lid, the computer resumes and picks up from where you left off.

 

[pm-r]

My question is about "What increased level of risk is involved... if I just log out of Safari & simply close the lid for a couple of hours??

Thanx in advance for any returns,

None!! Just as Ashwin stated above.

All your hotrod and car info is safe and secure along with all your other data. ;D






- Patrick
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[Rod]

Agreed, when shut it is effectively off. Sleep should be set to require admin password on wake.

 

[IWT]

Agreed, when shut it is effectively off. Sleep should be set to require admin password on wake.

Absolutely essential. I agree.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

Agreed, when shut it is effectively off. Sleep should be set to require admin password on wake.

Absolutely essential. I agree.

Ian

Wow!! You mean the poor Mr. D can't even trust his wife in his own home with his MBPro??? Gheese!!!

Just saying that seems a bit extreme as to suggestions…






- Patrick
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[IWT]

Patrick,

It's not a question of mistrusting your wife, but of getting into the habit of always password-protecting your Notebook wherever you are. That way, protection becomes the norm.

If you wish, give you password to your wife or other trusted person. Much easier and safer that way.

Ian

 

[macgig]

it should be password protected, if that has not been mentioned yet. I put mine to sleep, I never shut it off. password is required to get back in. so over the network they could not gain access to it... however, someone with physical access and the right knowledge can hack in and bypass your password.

 

[pm-r]

it should be password protected, if that has not been mentioned yet. … however, someone with physical access and the right knowledge can hack in and bypass your password.

Really…??? So why bother then I guess… ??? Especially if any of those types come stomping into our house and find our Macs to fiddle with???

Gads, I say…




- Patrick
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[Raz0rEdge]

Really…??? So why bother then I guess… ??? Especially if any of those types come stomping into our house and find our Macs to fiddle with???

Gads, I say…




- Patrick
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If someone has physical access to your machine, then it is VERY easy to bypass the password. Just power down the machine holding down the Power key, then boot into Single user mode and you're dropped into a privileged account. Find and reset the password of the admin account and reboot back into the UI and login with the new password.

To prevent this sort of thing, you would end up having to use a firmware password.

 

[pm-r]

If someone has physical access to your machine, then it is VERY easy to bypass the password. Just power down the machine holding down the Power key, then boot into Single user mode and you're dropped into a privileged account. Find and reset the password of the admin account and reboot back into the UI and login with the new password.

To prevent this sort of thing, you would end up having to use a firmware password.

Wow!!! What a lot of extra work to maybe see some of our family related photos and videos and maybe some application serial numbers that aren't already available in the local phonebook or directory as to any personal info.

At least for our case for what we store on our Macs.

But yes, a different situation for any business used computer. But that's a completely different topic I'd say.




- Patrick
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