Best Reviewed
Firewalls
- Best firewall Comodo Internet Security *Est. $0
- Best security suite/firewall combination Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 *Est. $80
- Best Mac firewall Little Snitch *Est. $30
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Best Mac firewall
- Covers inbound and outbound threats
- Network monitor displays programs accessing the network
- Easy to install and use
- Could be overkill for many Mac users
- Prompts and warnings annoy some users
Though not everyone agrees that a firewall beyond the ones 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 primary Mac firewall -- and includes a network monitor that tracks exactly which applications are accessing your local network and the Internet. If you want to use the Mac's secondary firewall for more protection -- including protection from outbound threats -- experts recommend a third-party firewall manager like NoobProof (for beginners) and WaterRoof (for advanced users). Both are free.
It's been a while since professional reviewers have weighed in on Little Snitch, but an older review at ZDNet.com remains somewhat useful. For a snapshot of how the program currently fares, we look at user reviews at sites like Download.com and MacUpdate.com
Our Sources
MacUpdate.com's editorial team doesn't shed much light on Little Snitch, other than addressing changes from the last version. However, users have lots to say, and do so through more than 200 ratings, plus separate discussion threads that offer additional opinions and comments, and that provide help for users who have questions or issues with the program. Bottom line is that Little Snitch seems well-liked, with generally positive feedback and a rating of 4.5 stars for the current and the previous versions of the program.
Review: Little Snitch Reviews, Contributors to MacUpdate.com
2. Download.com
There are far fewer reviews of Little Snitch here than at MacUpdate.com. Most comments are directed at earlier versions, but those differ only slightly from the current one. Users here are happy; most grant Little Snitch 5 stars or 4 stars.
Review: Little Snitch for Mac, Contributors to Download.com
3. ZDNet.com
Jason D. O'Grady recommends Little Snitch as a good way to keep track of which programs on your Mac are communicating with the rest of the world. He does say that the initial process of setting up which programs can and can't access the net can be "exhaustive," but O'Grady provides some tips to make things go smoother. Once you get past the initial deny/accept pop-ups (he hints to use the "forever" button) and customize the product to suit your needs O'Grady says you'll be satisfied with the performance of Little Snitch.
Review: Little Snitch Tattles on Trojans, Jason D. O'Grady, Jan. 27, 2009
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