Firewalls, in general, are a network security system that supervises and control incoming and/or outcoming network traffic based on previously agreed upon security regulations. In Mac or Windows, they have one function: they block untrusted incoming connections. Also, in Mac the firewall doesn’t come as a default setting, the reason for this is given in the next section. Therefore, in this article, we shall discuss how to enable mac firewall in your Macbook or Macbook Pro.
Some firewalls let the user block outgoing connections as well, but the default setting in both mac and windows is not set up that way. If you want to block outgoing connections with your firewall, it is better to look for an external firewall. It does this using Code Signing Certificates that are issued to trusted applications and sites.
Mac OS X Firewall
Versions of OS X through 10.4 (Tigers) has a firewall called ipfw. Packet Filtering Firewalls or ipfw checks each packet passing through your Mac’s network and controls its movements based on a predetermined list of rules. They distinguish incoming connections by type, using port numbers and by origin and destination, using IP addresses. For example, packet-filtering firewalls allow incoming connections from your work network but not first-time networks. In later versions (Leopards) to ipfw, they add a new Socket-Filtering firewall (Application Firewall) these firewalls block or allows connections based on which application is requesting network connection.
Pocket filters are more flexible than socket filters. Socket filters cannot be told to block allowed connections from unsecure networks. Also, Leopard firewalls only block incoming connections, ipfw is available on OS X 10.5 though it is disabled by default which can be enabled using steps given in a later section.
Is Firewall Necessary on Macbook?
There is a need for blocking incoming connections only if there are applications listening for these connections. A while back, Windows had many services listed for network connections and a firewall was an integral part of their systems back then. However, Mac doesn’t have much applications listening in for incoming connections which makes enabling a firewall within the user’s discretion. A firewall is hindersome when some antivirus applications conflict with the firewall or if you want to play a video game with online multiplayer modes.
When you do not enable mac firewall, it makes your system vulnerable to viruses and malware applications. A firewall can help if you are running a sensitive software that you don’t want to be accessed over the internet. So the overall decision to enable the Mac Firewall really lies with the consumer and the software used by you. Before playing around with the firewall settings of your Mac it is recommended to clean your system, removing remnants of previously uninstalled apps or applications moved to the trash. If at any point these applications gain power to receive connections it would be harmful for your system.
How to Enable Mac Firewall?
The default setting on a Mac is to “Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections” which means that all applications in your Mac that are allowed through your Mac’s Gatekeeper protection are allowed to make connections without explicit permission from you. Therefore, enabling the firewall with the default settings won’t protect much. Configuring the settings to your specific needs is the way to go.
If you want to enable the Mac Firewall, you need to follow these steps:
- Click on the apple menu.
- Select system preference.
- Click security and privacy icon.
- Now, click on the firewall tab.
- Click on the lock icon.
- Enter your password.
- Click on Turn On Firewall.
- Click on firewall options to configure the firewall options.
Here, you can add or take out applications from a list. Any application added to the list can have incoming connections blocked to your discretion.
In v10.5 of the OS X, firewall is enabled with a tiny difference, all you need to do differently is to click start after typing in your administrator password instead of clicking turn on firewall.
How to Firewall on Mac?
The steps to disable the Firewall on Mac are very simple and are given below.
- Click on the apple menu.
- Select system preferences.
- Click security and privacy icon.
- Then, click on the firewall tab.
- Click the lock icon.
- Enter password.
- Click turn off firewall
As you can see disabling the firewall is just a matter of following the same steps and just clicking turn off firewall instead on turn on firewall.
Advanced Settings Of The Firewall
The advanced settings of the Mac Firewall give you four options:
- Block all incoming connections: This option blocks all incoming connections except those which are needed for basic internet use.
- Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections: This option allows default or built-in applications to receive incoming connections.
- Automatically allow downloaded signed software to receive incoming connections: This option allows all software that has the aforementioned Code Signing Certificate to receive incoming connections.
- Enable stealth mode: This option prevents your Mac software from responding to probing requests.
The Bottom Line
Hope you enjoyed while reading this article. We compiled all details on Mac Firewall and described methods to disable and enable it. Feel free to contact through the comment section given below.