[Wayward780]

I'm switching from Windows my whole life and my question is this: Is the built-in Firewall protection enough for incoming/outgoing requests or should I look into buying a retail application such as ZoneAlarm and such?

I value my privacy and don't like it when a program reaches out to the internet under the radar. Thanks.

[ghporter]

The built in firewall in OS X is not only free, it's a great performer. I'd stick with it. If you're worried about programs "phoning home," then try an app called "Little Snitch." It "snitches" on what is communicating to where.

[Wayward780]

So the native OS X firewall doesn't do the Allow/Deny thing? Or it does but just not with actual program names? Is there a way to find out, via a DIY method, what the program name is? Sorry for the blast of questions but yeah, I hate programs phoning home without my permission. Just because I'm connected to the internet doesn't mean my computer has the green light to do whatever it wants.

[TETENAL]

You need Little Snitch.

Most programs "phone home" for your convenience only, not to collect data for the manufacturer.

[Peter]

OS X Firewall is very robust. and yeah, Little Snitch is good to have handy too.

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by Wayward780 

So the native OS X firewall doesn't do the Allow/Deny thing? Or it does but just not with actual program names? Is there a way to find out, via a DIY method, what the program name is? Sorry for the blast of questions but yeah, I hate programs phoning home without my permission. Just because I'm connected to the internet doesn't mean my computer has the green light to do whatever it wants.

Of course it does. By default, it denies all incoming traffic and you have to open certain ports specifically to allow traffic in that direction.

OS X will automatically open ports only for services you've activated. If you have deactivated Windows Sharing for instance, the relevant ports will remain closed. Once you activate it, the ports will be automatically opened in the Firewall.