I wonder whether one would be able to do passive sound reconstruction using the laptops camera, sice it isn't being deactivated. I guess you would only be able to extract sounds lower than ~30Hz if the camera records at 60Hz, but that should be enough to detect steps for example. Not that this has real privacy implications, but I think that would be a fun way of disproving that no sound can be recorded.
Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
301–310 of 405 posts
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#302Earlier quoted context omitted.
> There really should be a "Travel Mode" for MacOS that disables features like these. Have you tried macOS Lockdown Mode?
macOS Lockdown Mode is not intended to be used by casual travelers to prevent unintended macOS unlocks. Per Apple, “Lockdown Mode is an optional, extreme protection that's designed for the very few individuals who, because of who they are or what they do, might be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats. Most people are never targeted by attacks of this nature.”
Good luck convincing the HN crowd that the FBI aren’t rubbing elbows with the MSS under everyone’s bed.
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#303Please, just add a physical switch to disconnect the microphone and camera and even battery! Why the hell do we need special chips to do this? Every chip can be hacked... internet hackers can't turn on physical switches...
> Every chip can be hacked... internet hackers can't turn on physical switches...
Others have replied to the specifics here, but I'd like to add that "every chip can be hacked" is just categorically false (unless you also allow for physical access for "hacked", but then that would apply to the physical switch as well).
"Chips" are neither magical devices, nor are they necessarily running something akin to software, or controlling everything purely through software even if they do.
As a simple example, you can be very confident that a (real) ROM is a ROM, and that its contents cannot be changed by software.
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#304Earlier quoted context omitted.
I feel the opposite way. Trying to get Windows laptops to keep outputting to an external display with the lid closed has always been a hassle for me.
>Trying to get Windows laptops to keep outputting to an external display with the lid closed has always been a hassle for me Can't concur with this. My windows laptop is has its lid closed and is outputting to a display. Only thing I do is uncheck the default behavior of putting the laptop to sleep when the lid is closed. This should be enough. Did you do this?
"Clamshell mode" is more than just not going to sleep when lid is closed: it still goes into sleep when you close the lid and have no monitor attached, which also means it goes to sleep if you unplug the monitor and lid is already closed, and out of sleep when lid is closed and you plug a monitor. (TBH I don't know if Windows does that or not)
There may be conditions around having input devices as well, can't recall exactly.
There also used to be a setting to disable wake up from bluetooth devices but it seems to have disappeared. (I was using that setting to prevent a DualShock 4 gamepad - which powers on all too easily - connected via bluetooth to wake the computer)
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#305Earlier quoted context omitted.
Similarly, whenever I'm working at my kitchen table I always "lose" my mouse as if there's another monitor connected. I realized a couple weeks later MacOS display continuity (or "sidecar"?) was connecting to my Mac Mini located directly upstairs using it as a 2nd monitor while I'm downstairs. My apple watch also regularly unlocks my Mac Mini when I'm downstairs (Mac Mini in a bedroom upstairs). All of these features…
Powering off the computer will do that. The passphrase is always required on cold boot.
Amusingly simple, practical solution. What's the wake time difference from power off vs sleep for a modern Mac Book? I don't have one. Oh, I suppose the power off time would be longer than simply shutting the lid, too.
Can you configure it to power off when the lid shuts?
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#306Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#307Should just be a hardware switch you can flip. We should be able to decide whether the webcam or mic is physically connected.
That creates a worse product for the user. It adds an extra switch to the design which complicates it, and it leads to situations where the mic isn’t on but the user doesn’t know why.
What Apple came up with works perfect as it adds some privacy while affecting the user in no way. This is also combined with permission dialogs for mic access and an indicator light showing the mic is in use.
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#308Earlier quoted context omitted.
Wouldn't this be because BT perhipherals like mice and keyboards need to be able to wake the machine up? Also FindMy relies on BT to work. An option to disable BT when the lid is closed might be nice, but it shouldn't be the default. I think most people do not want that.
I can understand that if I’m just closing the lid but my MacBook shouldn’t be connecting to BT devices when it’s in sleep mode. My Windows laptop won’t do that when it’s in sleep mode. This feels counterintuitive to me. There should at least be a setting where I can disable that without having to install a third-party app, y’know? ‘Cause I can understand for the need to keep a device connected if I’m just closing the…
The default behavior for most laptops go to sleep after a period of inactivity even when docked and in clamshell mode.
I think users with wireless peripherals would find it irritating if every time they sat down at their desk they had to open the lid to wake their laptop.
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#309Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, and it's incredibly annoying.
I guess this fits the situation: https://xkcd.com/1172/ It probably wouldn't work well due to the obstruction anyway.
No it doesn't. The sound plays just fine when the computer is closed, why would the microphone stop?
You are able to use an external monitor with your laptop closed, it's not an edge case to want to use the computer's mic in that case.
Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)
#310Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think you got this backwards. The 5th amendment means that the state can not force you to share information you have in your head, e.g. you can not be forced to give a password. But the state can force you to give a physical key, harware token, or a biometric read.
Oh yeah, for some reason my brain reversed the logic, thanks! :D Though certain EU courts can “make you give up” your password, as far as I know. Nonetheless, security is only good when it is used — widely-used biometrics with a potentially stronger password (due to not having to enter it all the times) is statistically safer for the population over everyone having “password1” as a secret. Especially with a good fall…
You are right about the EU. There are many free democracies that do not consider passwords to be protected under their "no self-incrimination" version of the US 5th amendment.