2.6.3 Enable Firewall

Information

A firewall is a piece of software that blocks unwanted incoming connections to a system. Apple has posted general documentation about the application firewall.

[http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201642](http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201642)

Rationale:

A firewall minimizes the threat of unauthorized users from gaining access to your system while connected to a network or the Internet.

Solution

Perform the following to implement the prescribed state:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Select Security & Privacy
3. Select Firewall
4. Select Turn On Firewall

Alternatively:

1. Run the following command in Terminal:

defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.alf globalstate - int <value>

2. Where <value> is:

- '1' = on for specific services
- '2' = on for essential services

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2105

Item Details

Category: SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATIONS PROTECTION

References: 800-53|SC-7(12), CSCv6|9.2

Plugin: Unix

Control ID: d5641ecae3d323cf97c018e07966bc409063b2344a1edfcfc4be514c2d72ac64