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Explain what this firewall setting does.

netnothing

netnothing

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Can someone explain exactly what the firewall setting, Set access for specific services and applications, does if you don't add any apps or services to it?

For example, I have no sharing services on. When I choose that option in the firewall, I thought I read somewhere, where apps would start asking to allow incoming connections as they are started. They don't for me. Other than I enabled stealth mode in that setting, I'm not sure what it does unless I add a program to the list.

Is it blocking all connections for all apps, until a specific app is accessed?

Any insight? I'm running 10.5.2....with all the latest updates.

-Kevin
 
It should prompt you when a program requires access. You can deny or allow that. You can also manually enter programs into the list.

To sum up - you are right, it is a list of programs (aside from OS X apps) that are allowed to receive incoming data (by opening the corresponding port). Anything that isn't on the list in theory will not be able to receive incoming connections.
 
Kilamite said:
It should prompt you when a program requires access. You can deny or allow that. You can also manually enter programs into the list.

To sum up - you are right, it is a list of programs (aside from OS X apps) that are allowed to receive incoming data (by opening the corresponding port). Anything that isn't on the list in theory will not be able to receive incoming connections.
Click to expand...

So it will only prompt WHEN the app is trying to receive incoming data? For example, just opening Firefox and browsing the web shouldn't have a prompt?

Is this the setting most people use?

I'm at home behind a router on my Mac Pro, so right now it's off. However, my Mom is going to be getting a Macbook soon, so I'm trying to understand Leopard's firewall.

-Kevin
 
Kilamite said:
Article posted at MacWorld today explains it quite well:

http://www.macworld.com/article/132558/2008/03/connect2504.html
Click to expand...

This is the part that confuses me:

After you select the Set Access For Specific Services And Applications option, any time you launch a program that uses networking, Leopard will ask if you want to allow or block incoming connections to it. If you select Allow, that program will be added to this list and digitally signed (if it isn’t already) so Mac OS X can detect if it’s been tampered with. You can select an application in this list, and allow or deny incoming connections using a drop-down menu.
Click to expand...

They make it sound like when you open an app for the first time, it will ask you this question.

-Kevin
 
I ran Firefox and it didn't prompt me either (even though it isn't in the list).

Odd. Every other program has prompted and not worked otherwise.
 
Kilamite said:
I ran Firefox and it didn't prompt me either (even though it isn't in the list).

Odd. Every other program has prompted and not worked otherwise.
Click to expand...

Wonder if a reboot is required. I know it's on with stealth mode because I can't ping it from my Windows box.

However, no program is prompting me.

-Kevin
 
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