Mac Free Firewall
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One of the most important tools in your online security arsenal is a firewall. Firewalls block incoming and outgoing network connections and can often be configured to be as strict or as relaxed as you like. You can also usually configure a firewall to prevent your Mac from being “pinged” – where a piece of data is sent to it over the network to check if it’s “there.”
Firewalls can be software or hardware, though most these days are software. macOS has its built-in firewall that can be configured in the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences and your broadband router probably has one too. Your router’s firewall, if it has one, can be turned on and off in the settings webpage for the router.
- Mac Security: Firewalls. By Chris Pepper and Rich Mogull. Macworld Oct 6, 2008 3:37 am PDT. Firewalls monitor and regulate the data moving on and off your computer or network.
- One Periodic Hands Off. This Mac Firewall works silently and keeps the track of all the applications.
- Murus Pro consists of two apps, Murus and Vallum. The former will perfectly complement the macOS built-in firewall by providing an interface that allows you to create rules for incoming connections. The latter, Vallum, is similar to Little Snitch and Radio Silence – it allows you to monitor and block incoming connections.
Tip
Want to know how to turn on the firewall on your Mac? Just go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall and turn it on.
Why download another Mac firewall?
If your Mac already has a firewall built-in, why would you consider a third-party version? Well, for one thing, the macOS firewall only blocks incoming connections; it doesn’t protect you from security threats that come from outbound traffic. Though there are advanced options tucked away, it’s not as configurable as some third-party firewalls.
Did you know?
In addition to a firewall, it’s a good idea to use an anti-malware tool to scan your Mac regularly and keep it safe. CleanMyMac X does just that. You can use it to scan your Mac manually, and it will compare what it finds against a database of known malware. Or set it to monitor your Mac in real-time, so that it protects it automatically. Download CleanMyMac X – a free trial is available.
The best firewalls for your Mac
Little Snitch
Little Snitch has been around for almost as long as macOS. Its goal is to block apps from making outgoing network connections unless you explicitly choose to allow it. This is useful for a couple of reasons.
It stops apps from contacting a server and sending data about you to it.
It alerts you to software that shouldn't be on your Mac i.e., malware, and is trying to connect to a host server.
When an app initiates a connection to a server, Little Snitch alerts you and offers you the opportunity to allow it to connect or to prevent it. It learns from your decisions and creates rules based on them. Neatly, there’s a silent mode that hides alerts so that you’re not bombarded with them – there are a lot of them at first. You can then come back to alerts later to make decisions and create rules.
Lulu
We mentioned earlier that the macOS firewall is good at blocking incoming connections. Lulu complements that by blocking outgoing connections, similarly to Little Snitch. By default, it blocks all outgoing connections. If you decide to allow an app or service to connect, every attempt made by that app or service will be allowed. Lulu’s source code is published on GitHub so anyone can inspect it.
HandsOff
Unlike Lulu and Little Snitch, HandsOff blocks both incoming and outgoing connections. And it allows you to closely monitor and control apps that use internet connection to send information back to a remote server. Besides, HandsOff can also block domain name resolving, multiple subdomains, and offers protection from trojans and worms.
HandsOff’s options are more finely-tuned than most, allowing you to block all outgoing connections from an app or only those to a specific domain, subdomain, or IP address. You can also choose to block the connection once, until the Mac is restarted, or permanently.
Radio Silence
Radio Silence is the simplest and most elegant of the firewalls available for macOS. There’s nothing to configure and no pop-up windows to distract you. One small window is its only user interface element. That window is split into two tabs.
One, titled Network Monitor, displays all the apps that have open network connections. Next to the app is a number showing you how many open connections it has open. Click on that number, and you can see a list of connections.
Murus Pro
Murus Pro consists of two apps, Murus and Vallum. The former will perfectly complement the macOS built-in firewall by providing an interface that allows you to create rules for incoming connections. The latter, Vallum, is similar to Little Snitch and Radio Silence – it allows you to monitor and block incoming connections.
Murus allows you to drag and drop elements to create sets of rules from pre-created presets. Or, you can re-write your own rules from scratch. If what you want is to fine-tune the built-in macOS firewall, Murus could be the ideal tool.
Vallum monitors and intercepts outgoing connections and lets you block them. It sits in the menu bar until you decide to configure it. When you do, like Murus Pro, you can do it by dragging and dropping. For example, to prevent an app from making outgoing connections, you just drag it from the Finder onto the Vallum window. You can modify the firewall rules for each app manually, or use one of the predefined presets.
There are several very good firewall tools available for Macs. Some complement Mac’s built-in firewall and block incoming connections; others are focused on outgoing connections. Whichever you choose, it’s a good idea also to use additional security and Mac maintenance tool such as CleanMyMac X.
You may be surprised at just how many network connections some apps make. And next to that number is a Block button, allowing you to prevent the app from making connections. Press that button, and the app shows up in the other tab, Firewall. That tab lists all the apps you’ve blocked from making connections. It’s a very simple but effective tool that has won praise and rave reviews from some of the most well-known Mac blogs and websites.
Protecting your devices against possible threats like virus, Trojans, etc. is very important as it could cause some serious damage to the network and the device. For this purpose network firewall software download can be used as it will enable users to scan the network regularly for any possible threats. A network Firewall software, free download can be used very easily. There are many network firewall software for windows available in the market.
Related:
Smoothwall
Mac Free Firewall Protection
This software is a freeware and an open source. It can be used as an internet firewall or router which will be able to run on the commodity hardware. It provides an easy to use interface that is used for administration and it is distributed under the GNU Public License. It has its own security-hardened GNU/ Linux operating system.
Glasswire
This premium software can be used to monitor the activity in the network to make sure that there are no abnormalities. All types of threats can be monitored such as unexpected application changes, file changes, DNS changes, etc. The firewall will be able to reveal all the activity and shows the performance of the current and past servers so you can figure out if any new threats are occurring.
Untangle
This premium software can be used to protect the network by filtering any unwanted application or encrypted web requests. Malware distribution points and spams can be eliminated. The problems can collaborate. The performance of the network can be monitored and everyone who views the network can be identified.
ZoneAlarm
This free software can be used for personal use to protect the files. It runs on Windows platform and will be able to make the ports visible by putting them in a stealth mode. The outbound and inbound attacks can be stopped and those who access your internet and network can be managed. It will be able to kill the malicious programs. Multiple layer security is provided.
Free Firewall Protection
NoRoot Firewall for Android
This Android app can be used for free to create filters that will be based on IP addresses and host name so that it can be blocked. It will be able to protect personal information that is being sent to the internet and will be able to notify if any website tries to access it. No roots are required and minimal permissions are required.
Comodo Free Firewall for Windows
This premium Windows software can be used to manage the traffic on the PC and block all the internet attacks. It will be able to secure all the connections when you are online and monitor what data goes in and out of the connection. It has a user-friendly interface and attractive graphics. Many configuration options are available and it is easy to use.
Simple Wall – Most Popular Software
This premium software is very popular as it will be able to deliver sturdy firewall security. Content filtering is very efficient and bandwidth can be managed. It is a simple way to monitor the activities in the network and be abreast about everything that goes on.
How to Install Network Firewall Software?
This software can be installed quickly by following all the instructions that are given in the prompt window. You will have to purchase the license if it is a premium version or the file can be directly downloaded for a freeware. After downloading the file can be unzipped and the installation file has to be run on the system. All the system requirements will have to be checked to make sure that the software will run smoothly.
Free Network Firewall
It will be able to provide a robust firewall security that will be able to monitor all the activities in the network. Filters can be set to make sure that all the unnecessary content is removed before it could cause any harm. Bandwidth can be managed in some software and security options can be set.