EmailBest Reviewed
Firewalls
- Best firewall Online Armor Personal Firewall *Est. $40
- Best free firewall Comodo Internet Security *Est. $0
- Best security-suite firewall Outpost Security Suite Pro 2009 *Est. $50
- Best Mac firewall Little Snitch *Est. $30
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Best Mac firewall
- Covers both inbound and outbound threats
- Network monitor displays programs accessing the network
- Easy to use
- Could be overkill for many Mac users
- Prompts and warnings annoy some users
Though not everyone agrees that a firewall beyond the one included in OS X is needed, Little Snitch is the most recommended third-party firewall for Mac users. Little Snitch adds outbound threat protection -- a shortfall of the Mac firewall in its default setting -- and includes a network monitor that tracks exactly which applications are accessing your local network and the Internet. If you want to rely on the Mac's built-in firewalls for protection, experts recommend using a third-party firewall manager like NoobProof (for beginners) and WaterRoof (for advanced users) to set up maximum protection. Both are free.
We found the best reviews of Little Snitch at Mac-specific sites including Macworld.com, MacUser.com and MacApper.com. Most reviews lack any indication of formal testing, but Macworld.com at least offers some comparative analysis of the various firewall options for Mac users. MacUpdate.com is a good destination for user reviews.
Our Sources
Chris Pepper and Rich Mogull discuss security options for Mac users. There's a good analysis of Mac OS X's integral firewall plus some reviews for standalone firewall options. While the authors say most people are fine with the included firewall, Little Snitch comes out on top among third-party firewall programs.
Review: Mac Security: Firewalls, Chris Pepper and Rich Mogull, Oct. 2008
In addition to the article above, Mark Anbinder provides a thorough run-down of Little Snitch's features and evaluates how well it works to protect Mac systems. There's no formal testing mentioned in this article, but it does go into detail about how the program works to prevent inbound and outbound threats.
Review: Little Snitch Review, Mark H. Anbinder, May 8, 2008
3. MacApper.com
MacApper.com is an online magazine covering Mac-related tips, tutorials, news and reviews. Joe Turner reviews Little Snitch but doesn't compare it to other firewall options. There's enough detail, though, to get a sense of how the program works and whether it might be a good choice for your system.
Review: Little Snitch Review: Your Personal Snitch, Joe Turner, Dec. 2008
MacUpdate.com allows contributors to download and review a range of programs including Little Snitch. User opinion is strongly divided. One contributor calls it a "must-have Mac tool;" another says it "constantly bugs you a la Windows Vista."
Review: Little Snitch Reviews, Contributors to MacUpdate.com
5. MacUser
This short article gives some useful details about how Little Snitch works to protect your Mac. However, it is short of critical analysis and there is no evidence of actual testing.
Review: Little Snitch, Giles Turnbul, Dec. 2007
Firewalls Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
