nbagent process, what is it?

To all those that ***** about Little Snitch, I use it and swear by it. Besides keeping me from connecting to sites I do not want to be connected (like google-analytics) and controlling sets that want to add cookies, I also use it to limit how much I download as I pay for each bit and byte I DL or UL. I am not in the USA and have a gigabyte monthly limit. LS lets me control what the Mac wants to DL, especially location and apple store stuff, which eats into my allowance and costs me money.

So for those doubters (Linc Davis, do you hear me) it does have a use, a useful use, so IMHO, if you do not like it, please do not use it but do not disparage it either.

No flames.

I realize this is an ancient post--but yesterday, Little Snitch helped me prevent an actual hacker from getting access to my machine. Unless there's a legit Apple website wanting my data going by the name of chris-valo.

Until one becomes familiar with certain legit connections, Little Snitch can seem like a pain in the butt. However, my experience has shown that it's invaluable. Not just for preventing hacks, but for loading down my system with all sorts of cookies I don't want or need.

So because you've never heard of it means it's no good?

I'd say you're not as much of an expert as you profess to be.

Not everyone needs LS (or don't know they do). Most users are oblivious to the amount of information their computer is distributing to outside sources.

I don't need Logic Pro or Keynote, but I'm not wasting time in the forums telling people I don't need them.

This is a place to seek help or give help. How does telling people that you don't feel the need to use a piece of software accomplish either?

That's like stopping by an auto dealership just to tell a salesperson that you don't see the need for airbags - the manufacturer already provides reliable safeguards and security features.

Fine - you don't want them. But millions of other people people do!

Actually, this discussion is PROOF that Little Snitch helps MANY people!

TENS OF THOUSANDS of people successfully use this app every day.

Sometimes they may have a question about an alert or process, but that doesn't make the app useless.

I had questions when I began using it and still do from time to time.

Check out how many hundreds of thousands of posts there are in Adobe's forums and even right here in Apple's Communities with qusteions/problems related to the software.

Does that make Adobe products and Apple software useless? If so, why are you using Apple software RIGHT NOW?

Guess some folks don't mind sending date to Apple even after the preferences are supposedly disabled.

I've had Spotlight Suggestions and ALL Safari Search options disabled since I started using this computer 7 months ago. But SpotlightNetHelper still tries to contact Apple via smoot.apple.com dozens of times a day.

Not to mention all the other processes unnecessarily contacting Apple all the time.

And if they're truly necessary, then why does my computer, iTunes, iCloud etc. work just fine with so many blocked?

Sure, they may need to contact Apple if I'm using FaceTime, iCloud, Find My Mac or iTunes Music Sharing. But I'm NOT, so those processes like identityservicesd, com.apple.geod.xpc and rtcreportingd need to keep their yaps shut!

Apple, Google, Yahoo and others greatly appreciate those who freely give away their privacy and browsing information (as well as their IP address) by not installing privacy apps and browser junk blockers. So Linc, keep on doing as you have been, I'll be Google has quite a file on you.

I agree, and whether it's HW or SW based, an IDS is a pain at first, as You define "normal" network traffic, but once You dial it in, it's at great tool, to protect your data. I provide Cyber Security Engineering support to the government on some of the highest classified networks in our nation. Installing an IDS on those systems is basically Computer Security 101. That's going all the way back to the basics. I also teach Cyber Security classes at a University and I recommend to all my students to get a SW based IDS on their own home computers, whether they are MAC, PC or Linux. It is an additional layer of Security.

Little Snitch isn't an intrusion detection system, it's a network monitor.

Wikipedia defines an IDS as "a device or software application that monitors a network or systems for malicious activity or policy violations."

Connections by Apple software to Apple aren't malicious or policy violations, they're part of the OS.

But many LS users feel they're nosey, unnecessary and unwanted connections that unnecessarily consume bandwidth.

LS is telling me that in the past 24 hours 65 connection attempts were blocked to api.smoot.apple.com.

Despite what some think, LS has legitimate uses beyond protection for pirated software.