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Network Applications

IPNetSentry

Home Page Release Notes License:
Shareware; see site

Current Version: 1.4.0 (March 9, 2004) / 1.7 (May 29, 2009)

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 1.7 - the latest version for Mac OS X - adds/changes 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.
  • Fix checking for idle time to handle equal comparisons correctly.
  • Avoid repeated first run install alerts by not trying to install admin only tools when run from non-admin account.
  • Fix possible bug in updating Security Log save to disk interval.
  • Fix possible timing conflict when replacing and authorizing tools.
  • Reorganized demo startup to be more consistent and support paid upgrades.
  • Restructure project files to use Subversion based revision control.
  • Fix Ethernet bridging to configure promiscous mode correctly.
  • Application launch - skip asking for upgrade if there is a valid upgrade key in the pasteboard.
  • Upgrade - ask user to authenticate to remove old key if necessary when upgrading, so upgrade will override any previous key even if not writable by the currently logged in user.
  • System Requirements are now 10.4 or later.
  • Release as version 1.7

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!


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!