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smashr Author

Level 1

21 points

Is the stealth mode of the macOS firewall good enough ?

Hello everyone,

I would like get your input on whether or not the stealth mode of the macOS firewall is enough to stay totally invisible on public networks (airports, cafés etc) but also at home against potential network-savvy malware that other, less "locked down", devices could catch.

In order words are there counter measures for hackers and malware/worm/virus etc coders to still detect me while on stealth mode with my Mac.

Thanks a lot !

MacBook Pro (13-inch Late 2011), macOS Sierra (10.12.2)

Posted on Feb 16, 2017 6:43 PM

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

146,354 points

Posted on Feb 16, 2017 7:09 PM

The application firewall has specific purposes, and its ability to prevent unauthorized intrusion is limited. Please read macOS Sierra: Firewall pane of Security & Privacy System Preferences. Refer to "Enable stealth mode" to determine its purpose. There is nothing more to it than that.

The purpose of the macOS application firewall is frequently misunderstood. Not surprising, since it is woefully misnamed. There is no fire and there is no wall.

You should explain exactly what it is you want to accomplish. If you are sending unencrypted traffic over an open network then everything can be intercepted, "firewall" notwithstanding.

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17 replies

smashr Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 24, 2017 3:08 PM in response to BobHarris

Indeed indeed, I tried to leave it unlocked as well in the past and also got harassed, I'm wondering if there is an official manual or explanation as I'm wondering if leaving it unlocked (the default setting) would create a security risk ?

Even when you leave it unlocked, you still have to enter your computer password when you want to visualize individual passwords.

smashr Author

Level 1

21 points

Feb 17, 2017 5:04 AM in response to BobHarris

Ok that's reassuring, thanks a lot for all this detailed input !

Is the stealth mode of the macOS firewall good enough ?