Microsoft and Apple security

libra10

Vitor said:

The iPhone is a lost cause, even Apple can't unlock a phone regardless of court order. As the iPad is open, should be simple to look at photos on the device and on iCloud.

Unless the HP Laptop has a BIOS password, you'll be able to use it after re-installing Windows but all the content will be lost. The days of defeating BIOS password by unplugging the battery are long over.

It seems incredible that the iphone is a lost cause.  A perfectly working device that will probably end in landfill, due to Apple's security policy.  It doesn't do much for their 'green' credentials.  What about all the phones which are stolen these days?  How are they ever used again?
Not sure about a BIOS password on the laptop, my brother in law had a Hotmail password, but never heard of a BIOS version.

debitcardmayhem

Have you tried this ? https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/change-or-reset-your-pin-in-windows-a386c519-3ab2-b873-1e9b-bb228a98b904

Vitor

-  It doesn't do much for their 'green' credentials. -

Apple have decided that strong security makes their devices more attractive to buyers than being 'green'. They can also prove to oppressive govts. that it's impossible for Apple to be complicit in hacking phones, hence the UK Govts. attempt to get a 'back door' installed. TBH the stolen phones are broken down for parts rather than resold complete.

finbaar

libra10 said:

Vitor said:

The iPhone is a lost cause, even Apple can't unlock a phone regardless of court order. As the iPad is open, should be simple to look at photos on the device and on iCloud.

Unless the HP Laptop has a BIOS password, you'll be able to use it after re-installing Windows but all the content will be lost. The days of defeating BIOS password by unplugging the battery are long over.

It seems incredible that the iphone is a lost cause.  A perfectly working device that will probably end in landfill, due to Apple's security policy.  It doesn't do much for their 'green' credentials.  What about all the phones which are stolen these days?  How are they ever used again?
Not sure about a BIOS password on the laptop, my brother in law had a Hotmail password, but never heard of a BIOS version.

Apple, hate them or loath them, have a very secure system for their phones. Phones are personal devices and it would not be good to allow a device to be used by someone else without the owners permission given the huge amount of personal and financial info they can hold. Apple do not stop owners of their phones giving others the information they need to access a device.

libra10

Thanks everyone for your comments.
@debitcardmayhem Have saved the link, and we will check it out later this week.
I appreciate that security is a priority and personal information should not be accessed by just anyone.
Knowing our relative as we did, he was quite a straightforward bloke, with no dark, hidden secrets.
My husband and son have been going to his home each week and clearing out his belongings.  Hopefully they will eventually come across some of his passwords which might be helpful.
Thanks everyone for your comments and help.
Much appreciated.

MyRealNameToo

libra10 said:
What about all the phones which are stolen these days?  How are they ever used again?

You're complaining that they dont support phone thieves? 

Generally they try and trick you, wife's phone went missing, wasnt 100% sure if stolen or left behind so activated lost mode which displays a telephone number and allows the phone to call that number (and nothing else). We started getting texts to the displayed number initially claiming to be from apple saying the stolen phone had been found so please log onto http://findmyphone.apple.com.someotherrandomstuff.com/rgergvavreqw to see its location

Were you to click it it looked just like the log in page for find my phone but clearly was not apple servers but the thieves trying to get the AppleID details. 

When that failed they then started sending texts saying they had just bought the phone from a market in China for their daughter to be able to go to school but its locked and if I dont tell them how to unlock it it will bring shame on their family and he will kill himself. 

Finally they sent death threats


Assuming people dont fall for these things then all they can do is break the phone for parts. The screen has a reasonable value along with the camera module, the motherboard is basically scrap though, may be small value in the frame etc. 

RavingMad

We wipe iPhones all the time at work using iTunes when people have left the business or want to pass on to another user

Google reset iPhone using iTunes. 

As for the laptop, download Windows 11 iso image (or 10 if that's still possible) and use a program like Rufus to create a bootable usb drive 

You'll have to figure out how to boot from the usb but Google should be your friend there too

libra10

Thanks @RavingMad for the information. 

It all sounds a little advanced for us. Will ask our son at weekend and see whether he will be able to do. 

We appreciate your help. 

Grey_Critic

Sorry to read of your problems - I know it is to late in the day in your case but last year my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. We have two sons and whilst they respected our independence they stepped in and put our affairs in order. With our full support I might add.

The first thing they did (and probably the most important) was to set up a database which basically was a form to fill in. Amongst all the information it lists are digital accounts and passwords for everything that needs them. Might be something others might consider.

RavingMad

We use HP at work and it's possible to boot them into recovery mode, where you can perform a reset.

I've copied and pasted an AI answer 

Shut down: your computer. 

Turn on: the computer and immediately press the F11 key repeatedly until the startup menu or recovery environment appears. 

On the "Choose an option" screen, select Troubleshoot. 

On the "Troubleshoot" screen, select Reset this PC. 

Follow the on-screen instructions to choose between keeping your files or removing everything.