Mac Hacking for Dummies: gaining higher privileges

[foxrun]

Most of you little kids will find this interesting, but you veterans prob know this. I think everybody should know a little computer information if you guys are seriusly into modding halo files.


Local Hacks:
I do not encourage this, and this is for informational purposes only.
As you can see from the subject title, you must need physical access to the computer (obviously a Mac) you want to hack. There are many ways to gain higher priveleges, but screwing up can be very easy.
I think the easiest is to insert a Mac Install disk (of the same Operating System) and then change password from the menu. This allows you take over any acoount and more. Just hold down the c key while your computer is booting up when the install disk is in.

The second way I think can be more convenient becuase you don't need the install disk. However, you will have to memorize some simple code.
opon restarting your computer hold down "Command + S".
Once you get into SUM (Single User Mode) mode (a black screen will pop up and there will be a bunch of white text). Than you know you're in. Now don't worry about what it means, or all the first part of the code.

Wait until a prompt shows up that says

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root#:

Than type in (SUM is case and space sensitive so type exactly as shown):

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fsck -y

Than hit Enter (return key) This is not nessessary but this just checks your system before you mount.

Than type in:

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mount -uaw /

than hit enter/return

Wait till you get the promt "root#" be patient

then type in

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sh /etc/rc

hit enter/return

Yes wait till the root prompt shows up than type in

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passwd username

*what i mean by username is the username you want to change the password for. So if you want to change the Administer Password of a mac computer you would type in that Admins username like "Admin" or "bob".

Than text will pop up that prompts you to type a new password for that username

Go ahead and type that password but write it down so you don't forget.
*also as you are typing no text at all will show up. not even a *. don't worry just type the new password.

than it will prompt you to confirm the password.

retype it.

to restart your computer and restart type:

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shutdown -r now

Local Hacks (Part 2):
Making an Existing username

Another way of gaining higher access, is to give yourself administer privelges.

Restart your computer and hold down "S + command" key until you get that black screen with text mode.

type in:

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fsck -y

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mount -uaw /

If on Mac OS X 10.4 or greater you will have to enter this command, if not, you may skip it and continue:

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sh /etc/rc

Be patient, the this command may take a while.

Replace your_account_name with the shortname of your account.

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nicl . -append /groups/admin users your_account_name

nicl . -append /groups/wheel users your_account_name

Type:

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reboot

Creating a Hidden username (il post it later ive got stuff to do)


Removing a Username (il post it later ive got stuff to do)


Closing Thoughts

Many people say that the code

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sh /etc/rc

never ends.

If running the command appears to freeze:

<computer hostname> mDNSResponder: Adding browse domain local.

Example with my computer's hostname being "foxrun":

foxrun mDNSResponder: Adding browse domain local.

Wait a few seconds (10-20) or until after you hear the computer stop processing and press the Enter (Return) key. This should bring the root prompt back up.


I hope this doesn't get deleted, i put alot of work into this. Im sure you might find something like this on different websites, but i've compiled the best ones that flow nicely into this one. This system is great if you can't download halo becuase you aren't an administer and would like to.

[Yummy]

It's a good tutorial, although it's probably not good to post it here especially because we have younger kids here....and this will get them into bad habits. And...Monoman has already posted that he doesn't want this type of stuff. Although I can't predict how he will react to this? Don't take offense to this forxrun, I am not telling you it's a bad tut .

[Trinity.]

Like what I posted about all my Mac hacking programs.

Lol.

As well as hacking sites...

[8bitlove]

if you post this kinda thing, you should post something on what to do when your work/school admins catch you.

[foxrun]

actually you can't get cought, theres a way to make an new hidden admin so all the others cant see you.

i mean when you're in SUM mode, you dont actualy type in your login name, so even if there was keystroke/logger on the computer it would be impossible unless anyone see's you doing it.

so u want to go to an un-authorized website, dont do it on your acount, do it on the hidden or some other admins acount.

once ur cuaght, ur cuaght/screwed, but the point is dont get cuaght (see above for how not to get caught^)

[8bitlove]

yeah, tell that to the six guys in the last two years who got their computers taken away for doing this stuff. one got suspended and can't get his computer back again before he graduates. but that was because he was looking at "inappropriate" material and changing grades. you know what the rose hill reporter called us? "techy". yeah, they're that lame.

[draconic74]

Well, changing grades and innappropriate stuff is just plain idiotic, nooby, and stoopid. STOOPID! Haha... Noobs. I figured out how to download games on the school comps, as long as they are small, and you can get past stoopid Bess and find a site. Simply download to the flashdrive. Woot. Or, simply open the program instead of downloading. This temporarily puts it on the computer, and you can save it into your drive or just play it. Im so smrt. Now I can play Icy Tower. Linerider is still not working though...

[8bitlove]

it pisses me off. I can't play halo now cause they took away widgets, applescript, and automator, and disabled the thing in ical that lets alarms open other apps. now i have to find another way to open apps!

[Pool]

okay that thing is something i may won't be doing ever...

[draconic74]

Try putting the thing titled "Halo" in a flash drive and keep the rest on the computer. It works for stuff I use, but if all of halo needs to be on it, you wont be able to fit it.

[8bitlove]

I don't play the full halo on my laptop, just the demo. I play the full thing on PC, but i can't play it much anymore (not enough time). I occasionaly get to play co-op on halo 2 with my brother...

[draconic74]

You have Halo Full PC and havnt gotten CE? Are you insane?

[8bitlove]

Oh, i never said i don't have ce. i do, it's just that i'm on dialup, and playing with others really isn't that much fun with an assload of lag. that's why i only play on maps with ai. well, and hugeass. that map is the best!

[draconic74]

You bet! Im going to my freinds at some point. He recently got Halo PC just for the purpose of having CE. He plays all those maps lots, and even has 8v8 battles on Coldsnap, one of the other pwnzor map.

[8bitlove]

Man, i'd give anything for someone to make a pipedream mod. that would kick ass!