Microsoft and Apple security

J_B

Just a thought about the PC - would it be possible to remove the hard drive to extract any files needed by connecting it to another PC?

Maybe something for the local PC shop if you don't feel comfortable with such things?

PHK

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.

You're misunderstanding, the phone can be used. 

You're conflating two things. Access to the data on the phone (or in the iCloud account) and being able to use the phone. 

If you supply Apple with a death certificate and some proof the phone has been inherited then they can release the activation lock so the phone can be wiped, reset and used. 

A court order would be needed to access data in the account or on the device. But this would only be unencrypted data, if the owner turned on Advanced Data Protection then data is encrypted and even Apple can't access it. 

MyRealNameToo

RavingMad said:

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

But that will be a managed device and you need the corporate profile installed on the phone before you can wipe it. You shouldn't even need to use iTunes, you can do it via Apple Business Manager or most MDM solutions. 

libra10

Thanks @PHK for clarification regarding my brother in law's iphone.  We may try contacting Apple support and ask whether (under the circumstances) this would be possible.  It's mainly the use of the phone that is important.  We do have lots of old black and white family photos, and there are some on his ipad.  The financial affairs are being dealt with by the solicitor who is sorting out the will.

Later we will try to recover the HP computer, using the method posted by @RavingMad and will update if it works.

My husband has been back to his brother's house and discovered some of his USB sticks, and luckily some account information is on a USB stick with his Roboform password manager details on one of them.  We wish we had found this sooner, as it would have helped with some passwords, though unfortunately, trying to access the devices too many times, they don't work.

We know he had an old BBC and Acorn computer, and our son would love to own them.  Unfortunately unable to find as yet.

RavingMad

MyRealNameToo said:

RavingMad said:

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

But that will be a managed device and you need the corporate profile installed on the phone before you can wipe it. You shouldn't even need to use iTunes, you can do it via Apple Business Manager or most MDM solutions. 

If we can't get the serial number or it doesn't check in, then our only option is to wipe with iTunes.

Anyone can setup the phone after that and it's only when a user puts their work email that it gets tied to the business