Your Mac already has a built-in firewall. Here’s how to get more from it

Your Mac comes with a built-in firewall , but it’s probably not something you’ve given much thought to.

A firewall helps control incoming connections—requests from apps and other devices that want to connect to your Mac—giving you an extra layer of protection whenever you’re online.

For most people, the default settings work just fine. But if you ever want more control over how your firewall works, whether you’re on public Wi-Fi or want to adjust which apps can connect, those settings aren’t always easy to navigate.

That’s where Malwarebytes Firewall comes in. It builds on the firewall already included with macOS, giving you a clearer, more intuitive way to view and manage your firewall settings.

What does your Mac’s firewall do?

Your Mac sometimes receives connection requests from apps and other devices. For example, someone might send you a file using AirDrop or connect to your Mac using screen-sharing. Your firewall decides which requests are allowed and which should be blocked. That helps trusted apps and features work as expected while blocking connections you don’t want.

Customize your firewall with Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes Firewall includes four controls that make it easier to adjust your Mac’s built-in firewall.

Stealth Mode

When you’re connected to public Wi-Fi, whether at a hotel, a coffee shop, or the airport, Stealth Mode helps make your Mac harder to discover by other devices on the network.

Strict Mode

Allows only core services, such as web browsing and email. It provides the highest level of control, but it may block features like AirDrop or screen-sharing.

Trust Apple apps

Automatically allows built-in apps like FaceTime, Messages, Notes, and other Apple apps to work without requiring you to approve them individually.

Your Mac comes with a built-in firewall, but it’s probably not something you’ve given much thought to. A firewall helps control incoming connections—requests from apps and other devices that want to connect to your Mac—giving you an extra layer of protection whenever you’re online. For most people, the default settings work just fine.

But if you ever want more control over how your firewall works, whether you’re on public Wi-Fi or want to adjust which apps can connect, those settings aren’t always easy to navigate. That’s where Malwarebytes Firewall comes in. It builds on the firewall already included with macOS, giving you a clearer, more intuitive way to view and manage your firewall settings. What does your Mac’s firewall do?

Your Mac sometimes receives connection requests from apps and other devices. For example, someone might send you a file using AirDrop or connect to your Mac using screen-sharing. Your firewall decides which requests are allowed and which should be blocked. That helps trusted apps and features work as expected while blocking connections you don’t want.

Customize your firewall with Malwarebytes Malwarebytes Firewall includes four controls that make it easier to adjust your Mac’s built-in firewall. Stealth Mode When you’re connected to public Wi-Fi, whether at a hotel, a coffee shop, or the airport, Stealth Mode helps make your Mac harder to discover by other devices on the network. Strict Mode Allows only core services, such as web browsing and email.

It provides the highest level of control, but it may block features like AirDrop or screen-sharing. Trust Apple apps Automatically allows built-in apps like FaceTime, Messages, Notes, and other Apple apps to work without requiring you to approve them individually.

Trust verified downloaded apps Automatically allows incoming connections for apps you’ve downloaded and chosen to trust, like Zoom, Dropbox, or Outlook, so you don’t have to approve each one manually.