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Enabling the Mac OS X Firewall

A firewall is a security measure which creates a protective boundary or wall between a computer and the Internet, to protect the computer from unauthorized access. Mac OS X includes a personal firewall that can be used to restrict the connections made from the Internet to your computer. Here are the steps for enabling this firewall:

1. Double-click the System Preferences icon. System Preferences is located in the Applications folder on your hard drive.

   

2. The System Preferences window will open.

   

3. Click once on the Sharing icon.

   

4. The Sharing window will appear. Click once on the Firewall button.

   

5. To make changes, you may need to click once on the lock in the lower left corner and enter your Admin username and password.

   

6. Click the Start button.

   

7. The text above the button should change from Firewall Off to Firewall On.

   

8. If you wish to allow incoming network communication for some services and ports, you may place checks next to those services. When you are finished, close the window. The firewall is now enabled.