Many of you already know that Jaguar, Mac OS X 10.2, comes with a built-in firewall. In an effort to keep things simple, Apple provides the basic ability to configure this firewall via the GUI interface in System Preferences, but otherwise is silent on its extensive benefits and usefulness.

This firewall is called ipfw (Internet Protocol FireWall), which is undoubtedly familiar to Unix and Linux users but completely unfamiliar to the traditional Mac world. We're going to change this. Don't let the Unix heritage deter you; instead, let it motivate you.

The Unix history is a tremendous asset because it means that ipfw includes a full set of features that have been hardened by computing professionals for years. And all of this value is available to you right now. So resist the urge to buy a personal firewall, because you have a tried and true enterprise-level firewall sitting right under your nose.

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For all your firewalls information needs, visit the Firewalls outside articles section of HNS.