privacy-guides/how-to-protect-mac-computers-from-cold-boot-attacks-also-known-as-an-evil-maid-attack/README.md

<!--
Title: How to protect Mac computers from cold boot attacks (also known as an evil maid attack)
Description: Learn how to protect Mac computers from cold boot attacks (also known as an evil maid attack).
Author: Sun Knudsen <https://github.com/sunknudsen>
Contributors: Sun Knudsen <https://github.com/sunknudsen>
Publication date: 2020-06-05T00:00:00.000Z
-->

# How to protect Mac computers from cold boot attacks (also known as an evil maid attack)

[![How to protect Mac computers from cold boot attacks (also known as an evil maid attack) - YouTube](<how-to-protect-mac-computers-from-cold-boot-attacks-(also-known-as-an-evil-maid-attack).png>)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_M18sq0TIQ "How to protect Mac computers from cold boot attacks (also known as an evil maid attack) - YouTube")

**Run the following `pmset` command using the Terminal.**

```shell
sudo pmset -a destroyfvkeyonstandby 1 hibernatemode 25 standbydelaylow 0 standbydelayhigh 0
```

`destroyfvkeyonstandby 1` tells macOS to destroy your password (override it with random data) when your computer goes to standby mode.

`hibernatemode 25` tells macOS to store the content of the RAM to the hard drive (which is encrypted using FileVault) and power off the RAM (which clears its data).

`standbydelaylow 0` tells macOS to enable standby mode immediately when your battery is low and you put your computer to sleep.

`standbydelayhigh 0` tells macOS to enable standby mode immediately when your battery is high and you put your computer to sleep.

See `man pmset` for more information.

---

## Want things back the way they were before following this guide? No problem!

**Run the following `pmset` command using the Terminal.**

```shell
sudo pmset -a destroyfvkeyonstandby 0 hibernatemode 3 standbydelaylow 10800 standbydelayhigh 86400
```