CH 17 Lab #1: Software Firewalls for Mac

In this lab post we will be discussing the built in software of Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion). Previous versions will be similar.

OS X includes a firewall that can block unwanted incoming connections to your computer. A firewall can shield the services on your computer from other computers while you're on networks or the internet. Services that were turned on in Sharing preferences already appear in the lists of apps and services that can accept incoming connections. To prevent incoming connections from accessing one of these services, you must turn off the service in Sharing preferences.



From Apple's support page: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11309

Turn on firewall protection

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, and then click Firewall.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then type an administrator name and password.
3. Click Turn On Firewall.

Allow only specified apps and services to connect

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, and then click Firewall.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then type an administrator name and password.
3. Click Firewall Options.
4. Click Add (+), and then select the app or service in the dialog that appears.

Allow only essential apps and services to connect

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, and then click Firewall.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then type an administrator name and password.
3. Click Firewall Options.
4. Select the “Block all incoming connections” checkbox.

Allow signed software to receive incoming connections

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, and then click Firewall.
2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, and then type an administrator name and password.
3. Click Firewall Options.
4. Select the “Automatically allow signed software to receive incoming connections” checkbox.