Does OS X have a firewall activated as a default?

Discussion in 'OS X and OS X Apps' started by phildg2000, Apr 16, 2009.

  1. phildg2000

    phildg2000 Member

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    As stated in my subject line, I want to know if that is the case. Just curious.
    thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.
     
    #1 phildg2000, Apr 16, 2009
  2. PatrickGaerlan

    PatrickGaerlan Super Moderator
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    AFAIK, it's not. To turn it on, go to System Preferences -> Security, then click on the Firewall tab.
     
    #2 PatrickGaerlan, Apr 17, 2009
  3. codename_ethan

    codename_ethan Member

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    I agree with Patrick... it's not on by default. You still have to turn it on.
     
    #3 codename_ethan, Apr 17, 2009
  4. vhoythoy

    vhoythoy Guest

    Hi guys. Regarding firewall, what will you advise, Allow all incoming messages, Allow only essential messages, Set access for specific applications only?
     
    #4 vhoythoy, Apr 18, 2009
  5. red

    red Member

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    All the Macs at home have Firewall set at "Set access for specific applications only" For me it's safer and it notifies me if certain applications try to communicate (inbound/outbound).
     
    #5 red, Apr 18, 2009
  6. phildg2000

    phildg2000 Member

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    Thanks for all your replies. Reason i asked is because I tried to ping the IP address that Mydestiny cable assigned to my iMac and I could not ping it (from another external internet connected machine). I thought maybe the firewall was active. Back to square one.
     
    #6 phildg2000, Apr 18, 2009
  7. pilgrim28

    pilgrim28 Active Member

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    I originally set mine to "Allow only essential messages" but will try Red's suggestions and see what happens.
     
    #7 pilgrim28, Apr 18, 2009
  8. Ejaxene

    Ejaxene PhilMUG Addict Member

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    Aling mga applications yung sine-set niyo na "block incoming connections"?
     
    #8 Ejaxene, Apr 18, 2009
  9. lamski

    lamski PhilMUG Addict Member

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    check your router settings. they usually block pings by default to safeguard against ping-of-death attacks.
     
    #9 lamski, Apr 18, 2009
  10. PatrickGaerlan

    PatrickGaerlan Super Moderator
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    As long as it's an application I know I installed, I allow it. I have yet to block incoming connections for an app.
     
    #10 PatrickGaerlan, Apr 19, 2009
  11. viral_variance

    viral_variance Member

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    i usually block those apps which DOES NOT need to connect or receive data to/from the internet to perform its function.

    Always grant the least privilege an application needs

    e.g. MS Office, iSquint
     
    #11 viral_variance, Apr 21, 2009
  12. Barbara

    Barbara Member

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    anybody use Protemac NetMine?? I think nice prog for firewall
     
    #12 Barbara, Jan 22, 2010
  13. seabournlegend

    seabournlegend Member

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    guys i have a question about firewall, albeit a little OT. in the built in firewall, can you adjust settings for outgoing communications to a certain program?

    i cannot sync my (replacement) adidas micoach pacer. already tried all possible options, including resetting to factory settings, reformatting the pacer unit, and adding the sync manager program to the exemptions list in the firewall. now the customer service personnel tells me to try adding the program to accept outgoing communications. is this possible with mac?

    thanks in advance
     
    #13 seabournlegend, Apr 22, 2010
  14. virtudesign

    virtudesign New Member

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    AFAIK, you can only set incoming in your fw settings tab. Go to your system preferences and select security then the firewall tab. You should see "set access for specific services and applications"

    I use LittleSnitch to control or monitor outgoing
     
    #14 virtudesign, May 4, 2010
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