When I last review Open Door Networks ’ DoorStop X Security Suite ( ) , I did n’t find much wrong with the suite ’s Firewall program . It was potent , good , and stable , and it made OS X ’s built - in firewall easy for almost anyone to care . I ’m proud of to note that with this new upgrade , nothing has changed in that regard . DoorStop X Security Suite 2.0 will still lock your Mac down close .
The other two pieces of DoorStop X Security Suite are the Who ’s There ? Firewall Advisor 2.1 — DoorStop X ’s logging tool — and the second variation of the caller ’s comprehensive Mac security Koran , cyberspace Security for Your Macintosh . All three element are available severally : The Firewall applications programme is $ 49 ; Who ’s There ? Firewall Advisor is $ 39 , and the book is $ 10 .
Open Door Networks has enhanced various aspects of the package in this new rendering , which permit you create different Location sets , lets you analyse your log file accord to armed service ( such as file or printer sharing ) , and has a security measures blog that provides regular update on raw surety threat that may not be in the documentation . These cock will not only protect your Mac from possible infiltration , but also give you detailed perceptivity into what ’s really take place if your Mac ever gets attacked on the Net .
The broadcast ’s new Location feature film make it much easier for you to switch configurations when you take your laptop from your office , to the umber shop class , to your home — all position that implore for unlike levels of firewall protection . Previous version of the program require that you manually adjust your background every time you needed to convert your firewall shape .
If you ’ve already used OS X ’s build - in firewall , you may have noticed that its logging feature are somewhat cryptic . Unless you know exactly what to look for , you ’ll have no clue if your Mac is being attack or what you could do about it . DoorStop X ’s Who ’s There ? Firewall Advisor helps you realize what variety of admission attempts are being made on your Mac , by expose endeavour — both allowed and deny — and results in a logarithm . A Service Info button lets you see detailed data on exactly which service and port are being used for such unauthorized approach . For example , if someone is using Timbuktu to get at your Mac , Who ’s There ? will tell you the type of memory access — undertake mastery , file transfer , or observation — and how to earmark logical access and block illegal access . The new adaptation also let you seek for specific entropy , such as IP address or ports , and is well integrated with the DoorStop X Firewall app .
Unfortunately , DoorStop X Security Suite lacks a novice mode that would protect beginners from their own configuration mistakes , so novel users may block port that they actually call for . For object lesson , it ’s well-situated to accidentally block the port used to deal your iTunes library , making it inaccessible to others on your meshing . Open Door Networks say that the constellation wizard should forestall most young user from making these kinds of mistake , but that it does n’t protect drug user who later decide to adjust their preferences manually .
Macworld’s buying advice
DoorStop X Security Suite 2.0 is a best - of - breed programme that not only performs the of import project of decrypt OS X ’s built - in firewall utility , but also helps you understand its process . The efficient computer software , coupled with the retinue ’s educational components , make DoorStop X Security Suite an splendid manner to secure your Mac — and learn worthful selective information at the same time .
[ Jeffery Battersby is a writer , publisher , and regular contributor to Macworld . you’re able to read his web log atjeffbattersby.com . ]
