After receiving a port scan this morning (thanks for the new year present):
I’ve came to realize that I need to setup the firewall on my Mac asap before someone decided to take a tour of my iMac. Until recently, I’ve always use my PC laptop to surf the Internet, so I always forgot to setup the firewall on my Mac…but after the incident it looks like I have to act quick before things got out of hand. If you are new to Leopard and you have no idea how to setup the firewall, here is a simple step by step guide:
Step 1: Click on the System Preferences icon on your dock:
Step 4: By default, the firewall will allow all incoming connections…which is not very helpful at all:
We need to change that by clicking on the 3rd option:
Step 5: Now click on the “+” button at the bottom left hand corner to choose which your application(s) you want to allow or block access by the firewall:
Select the application(s) you want and click on the Add button.
Step 6: After you have added your application(s), click on the Advanced button:
As you can see, the Stealth Mode is not turned on by default:
Turn on the Stealth Mode and click on the OK button:
Step 7: The applications you have added are allowed (incoming connections) by default, if you want to block some of your application(s), just click on that application and change to “Block incoming connections“:
– – – –
I hope this article will help you to setup your firewall
Have fun with Leopard 😀
very interesting…
Very helpful. A lifetime pc user unfamiliar to Mac and all that pertains to it. Was able to follow your instructions. Thanks
Hey there,
Fellow MSP from Auckland. You might want to check out a Tool called WaterRoof which also runs on leopard. Its free and provides a better view at whats happening on your mac. Especially with respect to the logs.
Cheers
Re Ashwin: Thanks, I will give WaterRoof a try 😉
I’ve used Little Snitch before…its really good but its not free 😦
Ayuda: no me puedo conectar a algunas paginas como mi pagina persoanl, dicogoarts.com. a yahoo.com a myspace.com y otras. Hace unos dias baje el messenger para comunicarme con una cliente y desde entonces tebgo ese problema. En otras maquinas si tengo acceso. Ya reinicie el sistema y nada. Me pueden ayudar??
GRACIAS
I’m getting sick of the leopard application firewall… I much prefer zonealarm… i need/want the configurability!
Thanks vital information
I am new to Apple not sure which applications should not be allowed incoming connections???
This was an Fine Example I Appriciate it
I do block all applications, and still can surf & download stuff, even with the app in use been blocked, what you are blocking is the intruders, not your ability to surf or download, try this way.
what about trojans sending information out? keyloggers, that kind of thing? Zonealarm on Windows would catch that, would the Apple firewall?
Nice tutorial/article.
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Hi David!
I am a user of Leopard for 1 year before very years working with windows, had no training to use a mac and now very concerned security.
Thank you for the help I received from your article.
A theme seemingly so simple, but of great importance.
Was of great help to me, I am configuring the firewall for my leopard
Thanks!
Thank you David,
Excellent information well presented.
[…] set the Firewall mode to only allow access to specific services (Apple instructions are here or try these other ones). In either case, I suggest you also enable Logging and Stealth Mode (further down this post are […]
Thanks for this article! Very helpful. I really appreciate it!
Dear David
I have found these interesting articles about you in the “Mac Atmosphere” and I approach you also directly with the following problem I have encountered after my MacBook was upgraded with SnowLeopard for Mac.
Previous to this upgrade my MacBook recognized all my other computers and Network storage drives in the network (Windows based).
The MacBook now uses the router as gateway to Internet etc., but cannot ‘see’ the other PC’s and Drives.
I also cannot see from a Windows PC the MacBook anymore.
If I look in the router it is clear that the MacBook an IP address has been granted. I have no idea what to do anymore to install or restore the situation. Now it is not possible for me to exchange files easily in the network by using the MacBook. Can you be of help to me?
Thank you for the article.
Does the firewall have to be set for each account, or does one setting cover all accounts?
Good stuff David. Thanks for your assistance.
Which applications should I allow access to and which ones to block. I use Mac MS but I don’t want anyone to get access to my personal documents. I want to be able to get emails to. Today, I tried to register for facebook but I got no confirmation email and I couldn’t log in with my password. I need to be careful so I don’t get virus passwords sent to my email.
I’ll be looking forward to getting some help on what to do
Thanks