Switchers Take Note! New Macs Default to Firewall OFF

mac57 · mac57 #1 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 04:05 PM

A note to new switchers such as myself. After 4 days with my new Mac, I am finally over the really basic "how do I do ANYTHING with this machine?" culture shock and am poking around more and more deeply into the OS. I discovered with a shock last night that my firewall was set to OFF! Since I didn't configure this (only found it last night) it has to be the default for new Macs.

Now I know that there are not supposed to be ANY virus' out there in the wild for Macs, but coming from the hyper paranoid world of Windows to this new world, and finding that not even basic security steps seem to be standard was quite a shock. I immediately enabled the firewall of course, and even it doesn't really matter, I at least FEEL safer now.

So, new Mac'ers, take note - your firewall is off unless you have enabled it!!

baggss · baggss #2 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 04:14 PM

I think that was a change with 10.4.

Kyomii · Kyomii #3 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 05:18 PM

When I got my first emac G4 running Panther, the firewall was also set to off, so that means someone must have used it beforehand if it is a change within 10.4?

wxboss · wxboss #4 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 05:19 PM

I think this is a good notice especially for switchers like myself that didn't realize it until I played around in System Prefs.

Since I'm behind a router, it doesn't make that much of a difference. Yet for those who aren't, they need to know about this.

Kyomii · Kyomii #5 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxboss

I think this is a good notice especially for switchers like myself that didn't realize it until I played around in System Prefs.

Since I'm behind a router, it doesn't make that much of a difference. Yet for those who aren't, they need to know about this.

A router only prevents incoming though, not outgoing - that is why it is wise to compliment it with a software firewall that will prevent traffic both ways.

coach_z · coach_z #6 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 05:54 PM

dont you always have to turn on a firewall when you set up any computer? i recently re-installed xp on my dads conputer and swear i had to set up the firewall
-chris

kaidomac · kaidomac #7 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 05:56 PM

Little Snitch is a good outgoing access control solution.

Kyomii · Kyomii #8 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach_z

dont you always have to turn on a firewall when you set up any computer? i recently re-installed xp on my dads conputer and swear i had to set up the firewall
-chris

I thought so too, as I have said, I know that on my eMac running Panther it was definately off by default.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #9 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 06:01 PM

It's been turned off by default on every version of OSX that I have ever installed.

dohidied · dohidied #10 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coach_z

dont you always have to turn on a firewall when you set up any computer? i recently re-installed xp on my dads conputer and swear i had to set up the firewall
-chris

i'm pretty sure the built-in firewall is on by default in xp.

coach_z · coach_z #11 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaidomac

Little Snitch is a good outgoing access control solution.

yes and for programs 'phoning home', esp. if you dont actually 'own' the program

-chris

wxboss · wxboss #12 (**permalink**)

05-22-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dohidied

i'm pretty sure the built-in firewall is on by default in xp.

It is in SP2, but SP1 it was off by default.

mac57 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 29, 2006 Location: St. Somewhere Posts: 4,553 Mac Specs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 256 GB SSD, 2 TB HDD, 8 GB RAM	05-22-2006, 04:05 PM A note to new switchers such as myself. After 4 days with my new Mac, I am finally over the really basic "how do I do ANYTHING with this machine?" culture shock and am poking around more and more deeply into the OS. I discovered with a shock last night that my firewall was set to OFF! Since I didn't configure this (only found it last night) it has to be the default for new Macs. Now I know that there are not supposed to be ANY virus' out there in the wild for Macs, but coming from the hyper paranoid world of Windows to this new world, and finding that not even basic security steps seem to be standard was quite a shock. I immediately enabled the firewall of course, and even it doesn't really matter, I at least FEEL safer now. So, new Mac'ers, take note - your firewall is off unless you have enabled it!! My Macs: iMac 27" 3.4 GHz, 4 Core, Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, PowerMac G5 Quad, 2.5 GHz, G4 Cube, 1.2 GHz Upgrade My iStuff: 32 GB iPhone 4, 30 GB iPod Video, 16 GB iPod Touch My OS': Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS 8.6, openSUSE 10.3, Win XP I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
	QUOTE Thanks

coach_z #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 23, 2004 Location: North NJ Posts: 3,169 Mac Specs: i dont have no mac's	05-22-2006, 05:54 PM dont you always have to turn on a firewall when you set up any computer? i recently re-installed xp on my dads conputer and swear i had to set up the firewall -chris MoTM honor roll... when? i dont remember
	QUOTE Thanks

dtravis7 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,895 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	05-22-2006, 06:01 PM It's been turned off by default on every version of OSX that I have ever installed. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Articles on Macs for Window Switchers	scottwdw	Switcher Hangout	1	03-09-2006 03:46 PM
Built in Firewall	Kokopelli	OS X - Operating System	3	05-12-2005 10:08 AM
Other firewall is running on my Mac!	powercat	OS X - Operating System	1	04-12-2005 11:29 AM
Do Macs need system maint. software and a firewall?	djmitch	OS X - Apps and Games	2	03-30-2005 11:59 AM

Switchers Take Note! New Macs Default to Firewall OFF

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

baggss #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 10, 2004 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 10,306 Mac Specs: 27" 3.4 Ghz i7 iMac-13" C2D Macbook-OSX 18.8.2-64Gb iPad 2-32 Gb iPhone 5-ATV 2-14Tb of Storage	05-22-2006, 04:14 PM I think that was a change with 10.4.
	QUOTE Thanks

wxboss #4 (permalink)
Member Since: May 13, 2006 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 8 Mac Specs: Intel Mini Single Core/ 1GB RAM/ Superdrive: Ipod Nano 2GB	05-22-2006, 05:19 PM I think this is a good notice especially for switchers like myself that didn't realize it until I played around in System Prefs. Since I'm behind a router, it doesn't make that much of a difference. Yet for those who aren't, they need to know about this.
	QUOTE Thanks

kaidomac #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 18, 2006 Posts: 1,868 Mac Specs: G4 Cube	05-22-2006, 05:56 PM Little Snitch is a good outgoing access control solution.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)