In spite of its reputation, my Imac did get a bad malware invasion. Will having the firewall turned on (it was Off I later discovered) help other things like this from happening?

I would recommend keeping it on, just because it's extra protection.

While the person above me is correct about you having to technically download, and install before it infects your computer, it is still good to have the extra protection, just in case you run into a virus while browsing the internet, you had the most protection you could.

Most routers do include a built in Firewall, but it comes from no "real" internet experience. Even Kaspersky, or Norton's firewalls can't keep out every virus out there, how much do you think one from just a couple of years experience could as opposed to the 21 years of experience today's reputable Anti-Viruses have gotten.

If you use Wireless internet on the particular computer, I would recommend a Mac Router if you do not already use one. It may cost a little money, but it has a built in firewall, and you know how long Macs have been out... So they have the experience.

I hope this helps, in the end. Yes, I would keep the Firewall on, it isn't hurting your computer, if anything, it's helping it.

Vomit - If you think about it, yes they have not been making routers as long, but Apple has had the experience in their computers on security in their firewalls, with this, they can adopt it to their routers with that knowledge, while Cisco has had their ROUTER experience, which hasn't needed security or nearly as strong of security as we need today. While Apple has had that experience since 99 in their routers, Cisco's first success wasn't until 90'. If you think about it, Apple has also had the experience since 84'. Granted that wasn't the first SECURE computer they made, since the internet didn't start until after that, Mac has had a better reputation for keeping out viruses... We all know that.

I would recommend keeping it on, just because it's extra protection.

While the person above me is correct about you having to technically download, and install before it infects your computer, it is still good to have the extra protection, just in case you run into a virus while browsing the internet, you had the most protection you could.

Most routers do include a built in Firewall, but it comes from no "real" internet experience. Even Kaspersky, or Norton's firewalls can't keep out every virus out there, how much do you think one from just a couple of years experience could as opposed to the 21 years of experience today's reputable Anti-Viruses have gotten.

If you use Wireless internet on the particular computer, I would recommend a Mac Router if you do not already use one. It may cost a little money, but it has a built in firewall, and you know how long Macs have been out... So they have the experience.

I hope this helps, in the end. Yes, I would keep the Firewall on, it isn't hurting your computer, if anything, it's helping it.

Vomit - If you think about it, yes they have not been making routers as long, but Apple has had the experience in their computers on security in their firewalls, with this, they can adopt it to their routers with that knowledge, while Cisco has had their ROUTER experience, which hasn't needed security or nearly as strong of security as we need today. While Apple has had that experience since 99 in their routers, Cisco's first success wasn't until 90'. If you think about it, Apple has also had the experience since 84'. Granted that wasn't the first SECURE computer they made, since the internet didn't start until after that, Mac has had a better reputation for keeping out viruses... We all know that.

No, because about the only malware you'll find for OS X requires you install it. Right now the firewall does very little, especially since most routers have firewalls on by default anyway.

Right That_One_Computer_Guy, companies like Cisco (who owns Linksys) have no "real" internet experience, even though their hardware happens to run much of the internet itself. You recommend a "Mac router" based on that? Are you really this retarded? Apple has been making routers for about a decade, but largely as an afterthought. Cisco has been making them for far, far longer, and networking hardware has been their primary business. You're actually going to equate making computers to making routers with built-in firewalls? REALLY? Any router that can be flashed with firmware like DD-WRT is far superior to ANY Apple router I've ever used. They're overpriced for what you get. I'll trust a company that focuses on making network hardware before I trust a company that just happens to make networking hardware as a peripheral to other devices. Just stop posting.

Well This solution will help a lot... I think you should go with this one.