Are MacBook MDM computers safe to buy?

MacBook MDM (Mobile Device Management) is a type of MacBook computer that large businesses and companies sign contracts with Apple to buy for employees to use. MDM is a tool for enterprises to control and administer the system to ensure that equipment is used for the right purposes as well as to keep important internal information safe.

MacBook MDM will ask to enter a corporate account to use Screen capture

The device works like a regular MacBook, except that users have to log in to the company account when activating the machine. MDM will automatically download and install preconfigured software, and this setting cannot be edited by the user.

Outside MacBook, iPad and iPhone also have the form of MDM but less common. Although part of the “payroll” of the business, MacBook MDM still appears on the free market, possibly sold by the owning company or its employees. Compared to the price of “clean” machines with the same configuration, MDM models are much cheaper, ranging from 30 – 50% depending on product life, appearance, condition, warranty period… Therefore, some who sought to “enchant” the MDM machine to become a regular machine in order to increase profits.

However, according to knowledgeable people, avoiding serial number control (an important factor for Apple to determine whether a device is a business machine or not) is only temporary, regardless of how to fix the system files or not. change the serial number of the device. After each reset (reset) or installation, updating of macOS, the device requires re-login to the company account, or users will have to find a way to fool the control system.

On some associations and groups of MacBook users in Vietnam recently, customers have accused the seller of providing MDM machines but did not properly announce the status and are still listed at the price of “clean” MacBooks. Buyers are not only troubled when the device is unexpectedly locked, but also uncomfortable when having the feeling of “being cheated of buying the wrong amount of money as advertised”.

An appliance repairman Apple in Hanoi said that with MacBook MDM, the owner can interfere with data on the device such as viewing, deleting or disabling the machine remotely, the same goes for iPhones using iCloud accounts. other people. Therefore, he recommends users not to use this product line to avoid unnecessary risks and troubles.

To check, users when buying should perform a full reset of the device, select the internet connection at the initial steps of activating the product to see if MDM is available in the device. If you notice any suspicious signs of “sticking” to MDM such as the machine automatically installing software, forcing you to log in to an organization account, showing a warning when using it, etc., you should immediately ask to change another machine, do not be greedy. cheap.

“However, the ways to check or identify signs are only relative, there are cases when you buy and use a few days and then the device suddenly shows up. new newspaper known as MDM goods”, a technician shared.

Besides, as mentioned above, the MacBook MDM is a machine under the management of an enterprise, purchased under a contract with Apple, so the appearance of a freely sold device on the market is unusual and suspicious. It could be illegally sold property or stolen goods steal users should avoid abetting this behavior.