Information
An infrared receiver is a piece of hardware that sends information from an infrared remote control to another device by receiving and decoding signals. If a remote is used with a computer, a specific remote, or 'pair', can be set-up to work with the computer. This will allow only the paired remote to work on that computer. If a remote is needed the receiver should only be accessible by a paired device. Many models do not have infrared hardware. The audit check looks for the hardware first.
Rationale:
An infrared remote can be used from a distance to circumvent physical security controls. A remote could also be used to page through a document or presentation, thus revealing sensitive information. While Apple hardware that still supports infrared is uncommon and has not been manufactured in years it still does exist. This control checks first for the presence of an IR receiver so systems that do not have IR will quickly pass this control check.
Solution
Perform one of the following to implement the prescribed state:
Disable the remote control infrared receiver:
Open System Preferences
Select Security & Privacy
Select the General tab
Select Advanced
Check Disable remote control infrared receiver
Pair a remote control infrared receiver:
Holding the remote close to the computer, point the remote at the front of the computer.
Pair the Apple Remote.
If you have an Apple Remote with seven buttons, press and hold both the Right and Menu buttons on the remote until the paired-remote icon appears on your screen
If you have an Apple Remote with six buttons, press and hold both the Next and Menu buttons on the remote until the paired-remote icon appears on your screen
To disable the IR Receiver through the command line
defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled -bool no