IPNetSentry
Current Version: 1.4.0 (March 9, 2004) / 1.6.4 (June 9, 2008)
The latest in a long line of network monitoring software from Sustainable Softworks, IPNetSentry is a simple and intelligent security application which protects your Macintosh from outside Internet intruders. This is particularly important for Macintosh users who have cable modem, DSL, or another high-speed Internet service where connections can be maintained and left unattended for hours (or days) at a time. Unlike most other Internet security products, IPNetSentry does not erect barriers for the safe use of your Internet connection. There is no need to "punch holes" in a firewall for specific applications you may wish to run. Instead, IPNetSentry silently and intelligently watches for suspicious behavior, and when triggered, invokes a solid filter which completely bans the potential intruder from your Macintosh.
Version 1.4.0 - the latest version for "Classic" Mac OS - makes the following changes:
- Added payload inspection support for a second version of the SSLammer worm. This worm is a direct attack on TCP Port 443 and can be a problem for Web* and other servers which are running SSL services.
Version 1.6.4 - the latest version for Mac OS X - adds/changes the following:
- Traffic Discovery: turn off TD explicitly if no previous setting was saved.
- Preferences: added "Save to log interval" of 10 seconds.
- Sentry Log: added timer to force periodic update at log interval.
- Create symbolic link to daily security log named "security log today.txt"
- Add "invalid" table under Trigger tab to remember source IP address of packets with short transport headers.
- Rename "IPNetSentryX_startup.app" to "IPNetSentryX_startup" since it no longer contains an application, but rather a shell script.
- Fixed problems with launching at startup or login time before interfaces have stabilized.
- Fixed bug in checking code signature of admin only tools when run from non admin account.
- If code signature is not verified and user chooses quit, re-install all tools on next launch to attempt repair.
- Cleanup system.log messages when run from non admin account.
- Lookup: add support for IPv6 and display any IPv6 addresses returned.
- Lookup: added "Show DNS" button.
- Tool history: keep 10 entries in addition to any suggested local configuration values.
See the IPNetSentry release notes ("Classic" and Mac OS X) for more information.
User Reviews
"Smooth running and does a great job catching, then blocking, those nasty hacker wannabe's. IPNetSentry even lets you add custom filters to other ports of entry."
—Steve Worth
Submit another review!
the Power Mac version (1.4.0).
the Mac OS X (Cocoa / Universal) version (1.6.4).
Version 1.7c1 (August 6, 2008) is now available for Mac OS X (Cocoa / Universal), adding/changing the following:
- First Run Install: pause after copy phase to allow time for file system to stabilize.
- First Run Install: changed to work the same for non-admin accounts.
- Increase filter table size to 1000 entries.
- ICMP: self repair ICMP server connection if it dies unexpectedly.
- Fixed obscure memory leaks found using Apple's Clang tool.
More information is available in the release notes.
Also See . . .
Can't find what you're looking for? Try a search:
Also, if you have an older Mac, be sure to check out the "Classic" applications page for more options.
Finally, take a look at ALEMIA if you think you know that name of an application, but aren't quite sure.
Related Links
For an interesting and objective third-party view of Apple's networking technology - from MacTCP through Open Transport and beywond - Peter Sichel's Sustainable Softworks page is unparalleled.
Also Consider . . .
These are applications that are newer and of potential interest, but which I haven't yet selected for permanent inclusion. Have a look, and let me know if you think they deserve to be part of the permanent collection!