Mac OS X + Firewall?

[Gryfon19]

I'm new to the Mac and am setting it up after a fresh install. Is there a firewall built into the OS, and if so where do I turn it on?

Also, if I turn that on, will it have any affect on my wireless router and/or my torrent downloads, or any downloads for that matter?

Thanks!

 

[swiftaw]

System Preferences->Sharing

 

[Gryfon19]

So does that mean I should essentially not allow any sharing and therefore I should be protected by malware, etc?

 

[swiftaw]

Turn the firewall on, and then select which things you want to allow, such as file sharing etc. Also, if you are behind a router you are doubly protected by its firewall too.

 

[Gryfon19]

Ah, gotcha. Thanks, I'm not at the Mac now and since I'm not especially familiar with the options yet I wasn't sure what choices I had. Will set it up when I get home. Thanks.

 

[Gryfon19]

Ah, gotcha. Thanks, I'm not at the Mac now and since I'm not especially familiar with the options yet I wasn't sure what choices I had. Will set it up when I get home. Thanks.