Yes, Tracey, that is basically what it means. Essentially your login password is protecting your Keychain database. That database holds sensitive passwords and keys and other things stored there, but not much else. If you want real security for your data, use FileVault, which encrypts *everything*, and requires the key even before the system begins to boot from the file system. Moreover, it means anybody with physical access to your machine can’t simply steal your data by either removing the disk containing it, or connecting the disk (or the computer, in Target Disk Mode) to some other computer.
Something I didn’t see mentioned but it’s quite important: when you reset your password using this method, you also throw away any data in your keychain, which will be reset. So, make sure you know (or have otherwise backed up) any form data, keys, passwords, certificates, etc., that you have stored in there. My experience tells me that there are many surprises to be felt, for instance you lose your iCloud session keys, as well as many other application login session keys that are stored in the keychain for your convenience. Perhaps this is one strong argument for allowing your login password to match your iCloud password; it means you can fall back on iCloud to perform your reset, and this is supported by modern OS X releases. -- The following information is important for all members of the Mac Visionaries list. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. Your Mac Visionaries list moderator is Mark Taylor and your owner is Cara Quinn - you can reach Cara at [email protected] The archives for this list can be searched at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
