Stealth Mode

[macuser1232]

Hello,

I was wondering if someone could explain to me what Stealth Mode is on OS X. I understand that it prevents pinging and remote connecting into your Mac, but is that it? Why wouldn't you want it turned on?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[S.B.G]

Hello,

I was wondering if someone could explain to me what Stealth Mode is on OS X. I understand that it prevents pinging and sshing into your Mac, but is that it? Why wouldn't you want it turned on?

Thanks,
Adam

I think you mean stealth mode in the firewall settings right?

From grc.com

Internet Port Status Definitions

A "Stealth" port is one that completely ignores and simply "drops" any incoming packets without telling the sender whether the port is "Open" or "Closed" for business. When all of your system's ports are stealth (and assuming that your personal firewall security system doesn't make the mistake of "counter-probing" the prober), your system will be completely opaque and invisible to the random scans which continually sweep through the Internet.​

 

[macuser1232]

I think you mean stealth mode in the firewall settings right?

From grc.com

Internet Port Status Definitions

Correct. Thanks for the definition. I'm starting to wonder if Stealth Mode will affect any of my normal daily tasks.

 

[S.B.G]

Correct. Thanks for the definition. I'm starting to wonder if Stealth Mode will affect any of my normal daily tasks.

It's easy to test. Turn it on and see if your tasks work or not. If not, you can turn it back off again.

 

[macuser1232]

I'm going to see if I can learn a bit more about networking and ssh, so that I can see exactly what it's preventing and if I even need it.