To protect data on the Mac, you can set a user account password to prevent unauthorized users from logging in. You can also use FileVault to encrypt the boot disk so that unauthorized users cannot read the data stored on the MAC without the correct password.
If a firmware password is set, users who do not know this password cannot boot from any disk other than the designated boot disk. This feature requires a Mac equipped with an Intel processor. To achieve the same level of security on a Mac equipped with an Apple chip, you only need to enable the file vault.
Turn on firmware password
1. Start from macOS recovery function.
Turn on your Mac, and then immediately press and hold these two keys: Command (⌘) and R key. When you see the Apple logo, spinning globe, or other startup screen, release these two keys. You may be prompted to enter a password, such as a firmware password, or the password of the administrator user of this Mac. Enter the required password to continue:
When you see the utility window, the startup is complete:
2. When the utility window appears, click "Utilities" in the menu bar, and then choose "Launch Security Utility" or "Firmware Password Utility".
3. Click "Enable Firmware Password".
4. Enter the firmware password in the field provided, and then click "Set Password". Please remember this password.
5. Quit this utility, and then choose Apple menu > "Restart".
The Mac will only ask for the firmware password when trying to boot from a storage device other than the storage device selected in the Startup Disk preferences , or when booting from the macOS recovery function. When you see the lock icon and the password field, enter the firmware password:
Turn off firmware password
1. Start from macOS recovery function. During the boot process, you will be prompted to enter the firmware password.
2. When the utility window appears, click "Utilities" in the menu bar, and then choose "Launch Security Utility" or "Firmware Password Utility".
3. Click "Turn off firmware password".
4. When prompted, enter the firmware password again.
5. Quit this utility, and then choose Apple menu > "Restart".
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