Personal data protection and cybersecurity have always gone hand in hand with Apple’s product philosophy. If you have a Mac computer released in 2018 or later, chances are it has Apple’s T2 chip inside. The T2 chip is a second-generation security chip developed by Apple. Like its predecessor, the T1 chip, the Apple T2 security chip has advanced features for its new Mac models, such as encrypted storage, secure boot capabilities, and other perks like security for Touch ID data.
Think of the T2 chip as a computer inside your Mac computer. In other words, Apple has reinvented the wheel by making their T2 series chips as hardware instead of software-based security measures that lacked security while handling some operations. As a custom security silicon, Apple’s T2 security chip is used only for Mac devices and does what it promises. It keeps your data more secure. Moreover, it takes some of the load off the CPU’s shoulders by enhancing Mac’s overall performance, including the SSD controller, audio controller, and image signal processor. Yes, that makes your Mac much faster.
The Apple T2 security chip operates independently because it is equipped with a Secure Enclave Coprocessor. The hardware is isolated from the Intel processor and operating system. That way, the chip handles various operations separately. Being responsible for managing the boot processes on Mac machines, T2 ensures that only trusted software can run. If it detects any software signed with an untrusted certificate, the boot process is stopped to prevent it from running.
Besides hardware-level encryption capabilities, T2 has a hardware-accelerated AES engine responsible for data encryption and decryption on the device’s internal storage. In human language, this engine provides additional protection for sensitive data and prevents unauthorized access to the data. In conjunction with the Secure Enclave coprocessor, the T2 chip handles Touch ID sensor operations, storing and protecting the user’s fingerprint data.
Apple fixed its predecessor’s T1 chip security vulnerabilities and in 2017, introduced its T2 security chip with the iMac Pro models. Soon the Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models followed. The new T2 chip provides additional security for new and upcoming Mac models because better encryption protects its users from cybersecurity threats like malware.
Apple used multiple hardware controllers to assemble the T2 chip into one silicon piece. This not only enhances security, but makes your Mac perform better. The T2 security chip can increase your computer security and overall performance in several ways.
Despite all the T2 security chip features for Mac computers, some issues might concern its users.
Disabling the Apple T2 security chip takes some practice, but the process is simple. Just follow these steps:
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