Little Snitch

Little Snitch is an outbound firewall designed for macOS, providing users with detailed control and monitoring of their network activity. It displays every outbound connection made by applications, enabling users to decide which connections to allow or deny. The tool offers granular control options, allowing permissions to be set by IP, hostname, or process. It also detects when binaries change, prompting users to review existing rules for continued security.

One of its standout features is the ability to import regularly updating block lists, such as those for known malware hosts. Little Snitch includes explanations for common programs, helping users understand the nature of various applications attempting to connect to the internet.

The Network Monitor component offers real-time insights into network activity, showing data volumes, server locations, and more. Users can track connections globally, analyze communication patterns, and review historical data up to twelve months. The Control Center in the menu bar provides quick access to network activity and operational modes.

Little Snitch supports DNS encryption to keep browsing activities private, using trusted DNS services and encryption protocols like DoH, DoT, and DoQ. It also offers acoustic notifications for network connections, providing an auditory cue for selected activities.

Despite its robust features, Little Snitch can be overwhelming upon initial installation, revealing the extensive number of outbound connections. Alerts for binary changes may also be disruptive for developers compiling code frequently.

Overall, Little Snitch offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing and securing outbound network connections on macOS, with features that cater to both casual users and professionals.