Macintosh Internet Security Guide

This page provides links to background information, security vendors, comparative and individual reviews of personal firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam, privacy and suites of software as well as hardware firewalls and anti-theft services to help you protect your Macintosh desktop or laptop computer.

Background Information

• Apple Computer -- Apple Product Security and Safe & sound
• Macintosh Security and Privacy, MacInTouch
• Close the ports, Rich Mogull, Macworld, March 20, 2008
• Easy online backups, Joe Kissell, Macworld, November 6, 2007
• Lock it up [series of articles], Joe Kissell, MacWorld, October 12, 2007
• 11 Foolproof Ways to Make Your Mac Secure, Brian Maggi, MacLife, May 23, 2007
• Protect your Mac, 18 ways to safeguard your data and your privacy right now, Anbinder, Battersby Fleishman & McElhearn, MacWorld, June 19, 2006

Comparative Reviews

• Walling In The Mac, Jack Germain, Macnewsworld, August 27, 2007
• Hacker-proof protection, comparing Mac firewall software options, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, June 21, 2006
• Antiviral Armor, Mac antivirus software assessed, Rob Griffiths, MacWorld, June 20, 2006

Firewall Software

• BrickHouse Brian Hill
• DoorStop X, Open Door Networks, also see "Who's There? Firewall Advisor" and their book "Internet Security for Your Macintosh"
  • DoorStop X Security Suite 2.0, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, March 19, 2007
  • Doorstop X a sweet suite for security, Don Foy, Macsimumnews, January 11, 2006
• Flying Buttress
  • Flying Buttress 1.4, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, May 22, 2006
• IPNetSentry, Sustainable Softworks
  • IPNetSentry X, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, May 22, 2006
• Mac OS X Firewall
  • Mac OS X Firewall, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, May 24, 2006
• Net Barrier, Intego
  • NetBarrier X4 10.4.1, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, May 23, 2006
• Norton Personal Firewall 3.0 for Mac; based on Door Stop Personal.
  • Norton Personal Firewall 3.0.3, Jeffery Battersby, MacWorld, May 23, 2006
• SunShield

Anti-Virus Software

• ClamXav
  • ClamXav 1.0.3, Rob Griffins, MacWorld, May 12, 2006
• Intego VirusBarrier
  • Intego VirusBarrier X4, Rob Griffins, MacWorld, May 11, 2006
• McAfee Virex for the Macintosh
• Norton AntiVirus 11 for Macintosh
  • Norton AntiVirus 10.1, Rob Griffins, MacWorld, May 10, 2006
• Norton AntiVirus Dual Protection (Mac & PC antivirus)
• Also see our page on secure online email hosting services with virus and spam filters.

Anti-Spam Software

• Hendrickson Software Components -- Purify, Em @ ilCRX, SidewinderX, SpamX, SpamControl...
• Spamfire 2, MatterForm Media
• SpamSieve "Adds Bayesian spam filtering to popular e-mail clients."
  • SpamSieve, Kills Spam Dead on Mac OS X, Scott Beale, laughingsquid, September 10, 2007
  • The Slacker's Guide - The Best Mail Filter Available: SpamSieve, Chris Barylick, MacObserver, February 24, 2006
• SpamSweep, Bains Software
  • SpamSweep 1.5, Christopher Breen, MacWorld, April 10, 2007
• Also see our page on secure online email hosting services with virus and spam filters.

Internet Security Suites and Families

• Intego Family -- NetBarrier (firewall+), VirusBarrier, Personal AntiSpam, ChatBarrier, ContentBarrier, DiskGuard, FileGuard, Personal Backup and Internet Security Barrier (several suites)
• Norton Internet Security 3.0 for Macintosh (suite includes firewall, antivirus, iclean, privacy and parental controls).

Privacy Software

• Allume Systems -- Internet Cleanup...
• OS X Security Utilities, Kirk McElhearn, MacWorld, January 25, 2005
• Little Snitch, Objective Development
  • Little Snitch 1.2, Mark Anbinder, MacWorld, May 15, 2006
• Jiiva -- AutoScrubber
• NetShred X, Internet track eraser for Mac OS X $20, Mireth Technology Corp.
• Norton Confidential for Mac
• Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) email security
• Web Confidential password manager, $20

Hardware Routers (Firewall, Internet Connection Sharing & Networking)

• AirPort Extreme, Apple Computer
  • First Look: AirPort Express 802.11n Wi-Fi base station, Christopher Breen and Dan Frakes, Macworld, March 17, 2008
  • Apple Airport Extreme Base Station with Gigabit Ethernet, Oliver Rist, PC Magazine, December 17, 2007
  • Flying under the radar, Dwight Silverman, Houston Chronicle, May 21, 2007
• Go to our Router, Wireless and Broadband Gateway pages for choices and product reviews.

Anti-Theft Services for Laptops

• Orbicule Undercover $30
• Computrace Lo/Jack $50 for one year; $120 for 4 years
• MacPhoneHome, Brigadoon Security Group, $30
• XTool $50