Apple plans to protect its products from theft by storing the password in the charger

Recently, Apple has patented a method that is designed to increase the security of user data if, unfortunately, their device has been lost or stolen.

In the patent number 2012/0005747 the following reasoning is given: "... If the password for the device is difficult or difficult to recover, then the buyer either refuses it or will use it too simple." Therefore, in case of loss or theft of the device, the attacker is more likely to get unlimited access to a Macbook or iPhone without any problems.

Further, they reason at Apple, because customers most often lose their devices themselves, rather than their “charge”, it’s suggested to proceed as follows: the charger is provided with some kind of memory module that stores either an encrypted password or a passphrase (“What was your first teacher’s name” ). When an attacker turns on a stolen laptop with a standard prompt to enter a password, he will see, in addition to the usual confirmation button, the “Forgot password” button, which will require him to connect a “charge” in which either the password or the key phrase key is saved. If this happens, then authentication will be performed using the data of the connected “charging” and, obviously, either the rightful owner or a prudent thief is working with the laptop, who was able to steal everything from the third-party owner at once.
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The technology will also work with smartphones.

[ Patent - pdf]