How to Enable the Firewall on macOS

Secure your Mac by enabling the built-in application firewall. Follow these steps to restrict unauthorized incoming network connections.

1. Open System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen. Select System Settings from the dropdown menu to open the primary configuration interface.
2. Access Network settings. Scroll through the sidebar on the left side of the window. Locate and click on the Network menu item to view your connection preferences.
3. Navigate to Firewall. In the right-hand panel, find the Firewall section. Click the Firewall button to access the security controls for incoming connections.
4. Toggle the Firewall switch. Locate the primary Firewall toggle switch at the top of the menu. Click the toggle so it switches to the On position.
5. Set Firewall Options. Click the Options button below the toggle to fine-tune your configuration. Enable 'Block all incoming connections' if you require maximum security for public networks, or keep 'Automatically allow built-in software to receive incoming connections' enabled for standard usage.