In Security and Privacy under Firewall should I block All Incoming Connections on the top?

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Level 1

28 points

In Security and Privacy under Firewall should I block All Incoming Connections on the top?

Hi, I have a MAC OSX 10.11.6 synced with my Ipad IOS 11.6.2 I just want to make sure no malware or any bad stuff is on my computer or will get on. In Security and Privacy under FileVault I have not checked Block all incoming connections but I blocked ARDAgent, Google Chrome even though I still use it and Microsoft Excel and MSWord. Should I also block com.apple.WebKit.Networking.xpc, iMagent.app and what happens if I block All Incoming Connections will my computer be safer. Any help will be appreciated.

Posted on Aug 10, 2019 12:20 PM

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Answer 1

MrHoffman

Level 10

155,253 points

Aug 10, 2019 2:09 PM in response to momluvstv

If you’re concerned about security, upgrade. To High Sierra or to Mojave. To iOS 12.4.

Then get your backups going and complete and verified, and preferably with some backups rotated. Backups are your recovery pay for breaches, exploits, and hardware loss, failure, and damage.

Enable File Vault, as that’ll keep your data secure when this Mac is eventually decommissioned, or needs repairs.

Upgrade to Office 2016, 2019, or 365, as older versions have known exploits.

There are some great no-click security exploits published against vulnerabilities present in iOS versions prior to 12.4, too.

Learn how secure passwords are constructed.

Use a password manager, and use unique passwords across all your services and social networks.

Consider an ad blocker, but also be very wary of add-on anti-malware, anti-virus, and add-on cleaners. That’s been known to introduce problems and vulnerabilities.

Learn about credentials-stuffing, weak or duplicated passwords, lack of backups for recovery, lack of encryption for the eventual hardware retirement and for any potential replacements, etc.

Maybe then I’d look at the network firewall settings.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,995 points

Aug 12, 2019 7:54 AM in response to momluvstv

You are welcome. I meant the router your Internet Service Provider installed. If you have a router, that should block most incoming connections. Routers normally have firewalls built in.

Google Chrome is a known resource hog.

Getting more RAM won't allow you to upgrade your computer. What year/model is your computer?

Check the computer requirements shown in each link to see if your computer is capable of running that OS version.

How to upgrade to macOS Mojave - Apple Support

How to get macOS High Sierra

Check to make sure your applications are compatible.

Application Compatibility

macOS Sierra 10.12: Compatible Apps

Also check to make sure there is a compatible driver for your printer.

Do a backup before installing, preferable 2 backups on 2 different drives.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,995 points

Aug 10, 2019 6:55 PM in response to momluvstv

Have you checked your router firewall settings? That firewall should block all or most of the problems before they reach your computer.

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Answer 4

momluvstv Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 12, 2019 6:48 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks for your help, I can’t update my computer anymore until I get more Ram, just won’t take. I tried with an Apple Tech.

right now should I block Google Chrome. I’ve heard a lot about Google Chrome not being the best browser. As for blocking my router firewall settings, do you mean the main router for all my computers. I have an Arris thru Spectrum cable but I don’t know how to do that. Besides geek squad, is it worth it to bring my computer to Apple to get more ram and Chck my computer or just get a new one.

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Answer 5

momluvstv Author

Level 1

28 points

Aug 12, 2019 11:30 AM in response to Eric Root

Thank so much again Eric!! 👋😁 I was having problems backing up anything so I called Apple and got a Technician tohelp me. First they had my Time Machine backup thru Utilities, to fix any problems that were on it and that took a while. So there was a few problems with my backup files. I then deleted a lot of old stuff. They had me erase all of my old backup and start new. Right now I’m waiting for the backup to be completed and then I will hopefully be able to install macOS HighSierra. I’m so happy that my computer wasn’t the problem, I got rid of old apps I never use and everything seems to be fine. So you were correct and very helpful as always. Have a great day!

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