The –listapps option shows the status of each filtered application: /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw -listapps To check if an app is blocked: /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw –getappblocked /Applications/MyApp.app/Contents/MacOS/myapp This shows the number of exceptions, explicitly allowed apps and signed exceptions as well as process names and allowed app statuses. To allow signed applications: /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw -setallowsigned on To check if you allow signed apps: /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw -getallowsigned This will allow all TRUSTEDAPPS. Therefore, traffic can be allowed per signed binary. For example, if you need to troubleshoot some issues, you might set the logging to detail using the following command: /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw -setloggingopt: detail To start the firewall: /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw -setglobalstate on While it would be nice to think that that was going to be everything for everyone, it just so happens that some environments actually need to allow traffic. usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw -setloggingmode on You can also control the verbosity of logs, using throttled, brief or detail. The application firewall can control communications up to the application layer of the OSI model, which is the highest operating layer. It operates by monitoring and blocking communications based on a configured policy, generally with predefined rule sets to choose from. An application firewall is a form of firewall that controls input/output or system calls of an application or service. While you can certainly spend money on firewall applications for your Mac-the aforementioned Norton Security application will set you back a minimum of $45 per year-your Mac, no surprise.
For example, these allow one to configure the firewall: On versions of macOS High Sierra (10.13)+, in order to load the firewall's kernel extension, user assistance is required. (In the above image, this button has toggled to Turn Off Firewall because your Mac’s firewall is already on.) Is the Turn On Firewall button disabled? Also in order to complete the install, you must reboot your Mac: Upon reboot, LuLu will display a 'welcome' window with various click-thru screens. If your Mac’s firewall hasn’t yet been turned on, click the Turn On Firewall button to start the ball rolling. Click the Firewall tab to display the settings you see below.