BestBrushstroke

Q: how to stop macbook from responding to random pings

MacBook Version 10.6.8  I do not know what iOS number this is

Trying to tighten up security on my home network. Was able to stop my PC from replying to random pings on the internet that are browsing for open ports. I noticed while looking for other information that this laptop does reply to pings. I would like to stop this computer from replying to random pings ie I want my computer to run in stealth mode.

 

Why are our machines all set from the factory to this default setting.....to allowing our computers to reply to random pings on the internet? Isn't that dangerous for our computers and our security? How can I change the setting on my MacBook so that it runs in stealth mode?

MacBook, iOS 9.3.1, Version 10.6.8 Mac OS X

Posted on May 18, 2016 8:39 AM

Close

Q: how to stop macbook from responding to random pings

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 May 18, 2016 8:54 AM in response to BestBrushstroke
    Level 7 (26,872 points)
    iPhone
    May 18, 2016 8:54 AM in response to BestBrushstroke

    1. MacBooks do not run iOS, so no number for it. If you are running OSx 10.6.8, that's what you are running.

    2. A Macbook is not a Desktop Power Mac , nor is it a Power Mac at all,  So posting in the Desktop Power Mac forum will be of little help.  I'll request this post be moved to a more suitable forum. i.e the actual MacBook (13-inch, 2006-2010) forum.

     

    3. Ping is a general networking tool to know if a device is connected to a network and responding.   Its not dangerous in and of itself. Pings from the internet should never be reaching your devices at all. As the only thing they should be reaching is the public IP address provided by your ISP, and which would direct them to the public facing side of your ISP's modem.  Correctly setup the modem, may or may not respond to it, but it should not go beyond that.

     

    If they are reaching your computers from the internet, then there is a much bigger security issue going on there with your modem , than your computer's ability to answer pings.

     

    Some network connected devices will ping other devices to maintain a connection. If your computer is getting a lot of pings, the first thing to do is to find out where they are coming from. What other devices are connected to your network? Disabling the ping, may in fact cause something else to lose connection to your Mac.

     

    Beyond that read here for how to turn off Ping:

    OS X Yosemite: Prevent others from discovering your Mac