2.9 Pair the remote control infrared receiver if enabled

Warning! Audit Deprecated

This audit has been deprecated and will be removed in a future update.

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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.

Solution

Perform one of the following to implement the prescribed state:

Disable the remote control infrared receiver:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Security & Privacy
3. Select the General tab
4. Select Advanced
5. Check Disable remote control infrared receiver

Pair a remote control infrared receiver

1. Holding the remote close to the computer, point the remote at the front of the computer.
2. 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

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2105

Item Details

Category: ACCESS CONTROL, CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|AC-19, 800-53|CM-6, CSCv6|3.1

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: 91f11fbbbb2d1f53f4607832fa34e44728b6806efd66f319e50599f2353f9f94