New iMac user firewall on or off

[robtonet]

hooked to a cable modem......on or off-?--default is off apparently--i think if should be on if on unsecured wi fi- but not sure--i assume the cable has its own.--but can it be a hinderence to have it on in addition to that? thank you

 

[S.B.G]

hooked to a cable modem......on or off-?--default is off apparently--i think if should be on if on unsecured wi fi- but not sure--i assume the cable has its own.--but can it be a hinderence to have it on in addition to that? thank you

If your Mac is connected directly to a cable modem and it's not also a router/firewall, then you should turn the software firewall on in OS X.

If you have a wifi router between your Mac and the modem, then you won't need the OS X firewall.

 

[maflynn]

If you have a wifi router between your Mac and the modem, then you won't need the OS X firewall.

That's what I do, and because I have a MBP, when its on a public wifi, I turn the firewall back on. At home, its off