

Users with administrator privileges will be able to open additional ports on an as needed basis.
Os x lion firewall mac os x#
After completing that section, Mac OS X automatically configures a Mac to connect to the Internet this is done behind the scenes. One part of the Setup Assistant is a section that setups of an Internet Connection. When a new Mac is started for the first time, Mac OS X goes through a utility called Setup Assistant. Mac OS X ships with secured (closed) communication ports allowing your computer and network to be protected out of the box. Once found, the programs then attempt to exploit and gain access to those systems. Hackers have even created specialized scanning programs that look for open ports on computers.
Os x lion firewall windows#
An insecure port acts as a doorway into a system and many malware programs targeted towards the Windows environment look for these "open" ports.
Os x lion firewall code#
Insecure ports in conjunction with insecure system configurations are common entry points that intruders and malicious code use to exploit, penetrate, and compromise computer systems and networks. Examples of services that participate in communication include printer sharing, personal file sharing, and remote login.

Taken together, communication ports and protocols allow your computer to communicate with other computers and services on a network (private and public). Each protocol has a specific "language" that it uses to do its work. Examples of protocols include HTTP, HTTPS, TCP/IP and FTP. Behind the scenes, a computer and its underlying operating system accomplish communication with other computers and services by using ports and specific protocols. The remote computer could be running Mac OS X, UNIX, Windows, Linux, or another operating system. What exactly is surfing? When you connect to a website on the Internet, your computer is basically connecting to another computer. ) execution on a Mac.Ĭomputer users who use the Internet know that they can "surf" the Web. A byproduct of this approach is a significant reduction in the risk of unauthorized access and malicious code (viruses, worms, Trojans, etc. Without getting into the technical implementation and design of Mac OS X, rest assured that Apple has taken a big picture approach to security as it applies to operating system design and implementation. The benefit is that you don't need to be a security expert to do so.Īlthough Mac OS X is a derivative of BSD UNIX and it leverages open source foundations, Apple has approached system security with the understanding that today's computing relies heavily on the Internet and associated technologies. You can secure a Mac even further by enabling additional features and options within Mac OS X. Out of the box, a Mac is configured to be safe as soon as you connect it to the Internet. Apple's Mac OS X operating system offers one of the most secure default installations of any desktop operating system on the market this is especially true for version 10.4 Tiger.
