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Writer's pictureTyler Wall

How to Hack the Root Account on a Mac

Updated: Dec 8, 2024

Root the Mac

How to Hack the Root Account on a Mac

Maybe you've forgotten your root password, or maybe you're a concerned parent who needs access to their child's computer. Whichever the case, this quick tutorial will allow you to hack the root account of a Mac without ever knowing the password.


Hold COMMAND+S while restarting the MAC


Four commands to set/reset a Root User password:


localhost:/ root# /sbin/fsck -fy
localhost:/ root#  /sbin/mount -uw /
localhost:/ root#  launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.opendirectory.plist

Or on older Macs


localhost:/ root# launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.DirectoryServices.plist

Lastly


localhost:/ root# passwd


Cyber NOW Education: How to start a career in cybersecurity


Tyler Wall is the founder of Cyber NOW Education. He holds bills for a Master of Science from Purdue University and CISSP, CCSK, CFSR, CEH, Sec+, Net+, and A+ certifications. He mastered the SOC after having held every position from analyst to architect and is the author of three books, 100+ professional articles, and ten online courses specifically for SOC analysts.


You can connect with him on LinkedIn.


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