Is the firewall enabled in Mac OS X by default, or not?

The firewall is off by default. But so are file sharing, web server, etc. So there are no open ports to exploit.

I do agree that the firewall settings should be more intuitively connected to services like file sharing. That would make the connection between security and accessibility clearer.

It was turned off on my mini and I've had that since 10.4.5.

"I noticed something a little disconcerting" I know it is a worry, having to open system preferences & click a button is a major hassle for me too.

As long as you are behind a NAT router, the firewall on your mac should be off.

No, it's not on by default and even if it is it has some pretty glaring holes in it. Looks like more spectacular "journalism" from TUAW.

Holy crap - i only just realised that it isn't enabled on my MBP (few months old)... i can't belive i didn't come accross this! thanx 4 pointing it out!

Viva the firewall in Mac OS X being off by default. If people really want to turn it on, they just have to search for "firewall" in the Mac OS X (well, actually Finder) Help menu.

If you don't know it, search for it in the Help or don't buy a computer if that's too hard for you.

#38: I'm downgrading simply because I want a two machine setup. I want a desktop iMac (mmm, Core 2 Duo) that can hold all my media, video projects, etc., with a small, portable notebook for doing less horse-power intensive tasks on the go like blogging. Plus, some heavier stuff like working heavy on After Effects and Unreal 2004 were making the MacBook Pro's fans go too nuts for my taste. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I don't feel comfortable pushing such a compact machine like that so hard for so long; I can get lost in Unreal on the weekends for hours ;)

On my PowerBook G4 after installing Mac OS X.4 Tiger it was ON by default. So yes something must have changed. This important difference between OS X and it's Windows pendant must stay, otherwise ... can't think about it. : (

why did you downgrade? Please post! i am about to purchase the macbook soon because of the specs. And im sure the price will go down as soon as merom comes out. BY THE WAY, even though we're all waiting for merom, its still going to be 1st generation apple product and all of the bad shit that comes with buying anything 1st Gen apple will apply!