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And of course, Litte Snitch is still available.Ģ020, second edit: As of macOS Big Sur, Apple apps can bypass the third party firewalls. Enable OS X’s basic socket-filter firewall via the Security preference pane (we recommend that you choose Set Access For Specific Services And Applications) if you want the extra protection of OS X’s ipfw firewall, use the excellent and free NoobProof to configure it. Free application firewall for outgoing connections is LuLu. For most users, the firewalls built into OS X are enough. Some kind of light hybrid combination of Murus and Vallum is Scudo. New application firewall is Vallum (paid). No kernel modules, no extensions, no pain.
#Mac noobproof firewall mac os x
NoobProof main features: uses Mac OS X built-in IPFW firewall.
#Mac noobproof firewall for mac os x
New (since the original answer from 2013) frontend of pf is Murus firewall (has free version with basic functionality, but the more advanced versions are paid). NoobProof is a basic IPFW firewall configuration tool for Mac OS X 10.5-10.6-10.7. Little Snitch or Hands Off could be easier to use compared to pf or ipfw or their GUIs.Ģ020, first edit: ipfw is not being used in the current versions of MacOS. You should be aware that there is some learning curve for these pieces of software, as their settings are not as simplified as the built-in Application Firewall. These can handle both incoming and outgoing connections. Examples are Litte Snitch and Hands Off (both paid).
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There is also third party software that can work as firewall, but doesn't use the built-in OS X firewalls. IceFloor (for pf) WaterRoof and NoobProof (for ipfw). However, there are third party GUIs for these firewalls, e.g. Firewalls Tweaking the firewall: Using a bash script to write a complex firewall WaterRoof and Noobproof: Firewall configuration tools for OSX Flying. These can handle both incoming and outgoing connections and are typically controlled through command line scripts and settings. There two other built-in firewalls in OS X Lion, pf and ipfw (the latter is being replaced by pf, but still exist in Mountain Lion). What you are referring to as "the built-in" firewall is actually the built-in Application Firewall.
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