Making iMac a wifi hotspot and firewall

So I successfully turned my imac into a wifi hotspot for use with my ipad and iphone. However, it only seems to work if you completely disable the firewall on the imac. Surely that is not an optimal solution. Looking around on the web I found dozens of explanations how to make a wifi hotspot but nobody mentions the firewall aspect. So my question is simple: can you or can you not make a wifi hotspot on a mac desktop (imac) while preserving firewall protection on you mac.
Cheers, Bob

Your iMac must be connect to a internet router by Ethernet. The Router give you all the protection you need. No need for the Mac firewall. It is only for Incoming connections anyway. Which the Router already filters.
Not sure why you are using your iMac for Wifi. Just buy a WiFi router. Internet connection sharing is so 1990s.

Similar Messages

Personal WIFI Hotspot and Download Speed

I am using an iPhone 4 as WIFI hotspot and realized that the download speed on my MacBook (which is connected via Wifi to the iPhone) drops from 7,2 to 3,6 MBit/s as soon as the iPhone switches to stand by mode (becomes locked). When I re-activate (unlock) the iPhone the speed immediately increases to 7,2 Mbit/s again.
Is this a known bug?

Not working correctly means in this case that it doesn't work at all. I do have it activated through my carrier. I do have it "turned on". I do have the correct password typed into my lap top when trying to access the wifi. The laptop recognizes that my iphone is broadcasting internet. The laptop will go through the motions of acting like it wants to hook up through the wifi of my iphone but cannot. It tells me in the end that the connection failed. Before syncing with itunes, I was able to access the internet throught the wifi hotspot on my iphone4. Since syncing with itunes, this function no longer works as described above.

Verizon wifi hotspots and android devices

Are the Verizon wifi hotspots available for use with use with anything but the extremely limited options verizon supports with its silly "wifi connect" tool. If that is the case - it would seem that this preticular feature is about is about as useful as a gallstone.

usedrip wrote:
We hav a Galaxy Tablet 3G LTE and we love it. But the past couple of months, it's 3G Mobile Hotspot is AWFUL. We cannot connect to the Hotspot consistently. We constantly have to turn it off and on (or disable from the laptop or Ipod) and try again.
We even sent the Tablet back to Verizon and received another one. The problem is the same, so I know it's the Tablet. I borrowed my Parent's JetPack and we had incredible internet. So, I know it's not our Location or our Laptop or Ipod!!
Yes, we have called Support countless times. They have us check a different option or they think they have fixed it on 'their end', but to no avail. HELP, we are so frustrated.
You might want to post about this issue at the Verizon Wireless forum instead: https://community.verizonwireless.com/
My advice for that though would be to double check your tablet to make sure the firmware is up to date. While it's apparently now illegal to unlock your device, if the device is already unlocked you may want to consider changing the ROM on it if you're so inclined. Sometimes the manufacturers's run of the mill OS has weird bugs like that.
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The first to bring me 1Gbps Fiber for $30/m wins!

My phone was hacked at a wifi hotspot, and my email address logged in the mail centre was compromised.. Could they have installed a keylogger on my phone? Is there anything I have to do to my phone to ensure its safe from this particular attack?

I changed all my passwords, but I'm just wondering if that's all I have to do.. Is there any extra measures you would take? Could they have installed malware on my phone? I will never connect to a wifi hotspot ever again. I'll just use 3G!

I have this really old email account that I haven't used properly in years, it was automatically set to log in the mail centre of this old iPhone I barely use, and was only using because my other phones battery had died, and I was at the park, bored, so I got the old phone out of my bag, I use it as an emergency phone for when my battery dies, but anyway, I logged into the hot spot, then a few days later my old email account had sent out a mass email saying "I am stranded in Thailand, please send money to this account" to my entire contact list, my sister sent me a text notifying me, and I quickly logged on and it said "looks like someone else is using your account" so I got texted a code, entered the code and regained access to my hotmail account, checked the sent folder and there were tons of sent messages..haven't used this account for many months before that, and I never log into public hotspots usually, it was a one off thing I did from that old phone because I thought I had no email account logged in, or any personal information, since I hadn't used it in ages, but I was wrong, as I learnt afterwards! So I'm absolutely certain, without a doubt, that it occurred at the hot spot. I looked it up online and apparently it is quite common, so I'm just wanting to make sure they can't still access my data.

Why can't I charge my Samsung 4GLTE wifi hotspot and surf at the same time?

Is the charger too weak to charge the device and surf the internet at the same time?

Works for me, have done it several times since I got mine. Something that is totally useless with the old 3G MiFi after they upgraded it.

IMac wifi hotspot unreliable

Hello! I bought a new iMac (with OS X Lion 10.7.5 installed) in summer of 2012. This month, I got a new MacBook Pro (with OS X 10.8.2 Mountain Lion). I'd heard that I could turn my ethernet-connected iMac into a wifi hotspot, and I followed the usual directions for doing so (changing the Sharing settings in System Preferences). Although my MacBook detects my iMac's network, it often can't connect to the Internet (the wifi icon on the menu bar shows an exclamation point), and even when it can connect, it is SLOOOOOWW. (For example, opening something like Slate.com can take several MINUTES, and even then the thumbnail photos don't all load.) I'm wondering whether this is due to a setting I haven't thought to change, or if it's my ISP. Also, would buying AirPort Express solve this problem?
My iMac's internet speed, while not stellar, has always been very satisfactory. I did a speed test today and the results were:
Ping 19 ms
DL 27.52 MBps
UL 1.93 MBps
I'm also using iStumbler to check out my neighbors' wifi channels and I've adjusted my iMac's wifi channel accordingly, sometimes with good results. At rare times the signal has gone up to 100%, although today it's hovered between 50 and 75%. I managed to download iStumbler onto my MacBook as well, and it shows a similar signal to my iMac's network as my iMac does. When the signal is above 70%, it'll at least open webpages, if not download, but most of the time, the signal isn't that good, and like I said, there are many times when the MacBook detects the signal but won't connect to the Internet.
Is there anything I can do to improve the reliability of my iMac's wifi? Am I overlooking something? Would my situation improve if I were to get a wifi router like AirPort Express? Your ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Also, as a side question... Would this problem be the reason why my iMac and MacBook don't detect each other when I try to use AirDrop? (Yes, I open the AirDrop folder on both computers, and I've tried the trick of re-typing in my Apple ID under Users and Groups.)

How do i creat a wifi hotspot from my iPad 4

My iPad 4 does not give me the option to creat a wifi hotspot, and theres no wifi tethering option aswell ! it is LTE enabled and my cellular data is enabled what can I do to fix this ? please if anyone can help ?

Does your carrier support the personal hotspot function (some only support it on iPhones), and are you on the correct tariff with them ? If they do and you are then you should have a Settings > General > Cellular > Personal Hotspot option
Personal hotspot : http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4517

I don't have a router at home but when I go to a wifi hotspot I still can't dowload apps

I don't have a router at home but when I go to wifi hotspots I stil can't dowload apps and it says to go to itunes store, how do I download an app???

if you are on your pc at the wifi hotspot and you see an app that you want to download to your pc click on the buttun directly below the picture of the app it will either say free app or give a price for the app if it is not free. now from the ipod there should be an app on it that says appstore tap that icon and search for the app that you want to download there should be a tab next to the picture of the app that says download now, now if you are going to download an app from your ipod touch it is going to ask for your apple id and password make sure you put it in correctly and then it will download it to your ipod touch also it will tell you when you are looking through the app store on your ipod wether the app is free or how much it is if it is not free

If you're trying use your hotspot and connected to wifi on your iphone, does the wifi stop working and start using your data instead of staying connected to the wifi?

If you're trying use your hotspot and connected to wifi on your iphone, does the wifi stop working and start using your data instead of staying connected to the wifi?

Spencer Simmonds wrote:
Thanks for the quick response. What you have said makes sense but there is no rhyme or reason to he data used. I reset my cellular data counter to zero so both sent and received read zero. I was connected to wifi and let the phone to go into sleep mode. I waited about ten minutes and sent myself the same email four times, each with a 750 kb attachment. It was sent to my .me address so it was push mail on my phone. Sure enough I checked a minute later while bringing the phone out of sleep mode and checked the data. It showed just 10kb sent but 1mb received which just doesn't tally with the 4 x 750kb mails received. It just isn't making sense.
He knows what you asked and has already answered it!
I thought I had read where the iOS4 (or maybe just the iPhone 4) was supposed to be able to keep wifi connections alive while inactive. If the phone is sitting there on a charger with a wifi connection available, why use the 3G?

Frustratingly, since I upgraded to Yosemite 10.10, I too am having the worst problems with WiFi dropping out. I've never had this problem before on my iMac 27-inch mid 2011 model. Turning WiFi off and then back on again sometimes works. Help please.

Frustratingly, since I upgraded to Yosemite 10.10, I too am having the worst problems with WiFi dropping out. I've never had this problem before on my iMac 27-inch mid 2011 model. Turning WiFi off and then back on again sometimes works. Help please. I've already tried a lot of your suggested fixes, but without success. Why hasn't Apple Fixed this?

Please test after taking each of the following steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved. Back up all data before making any changes.
Step 1
Take the applicable steps in this support article. The Wireless Diagnostics program generates a large file of information about your system, which would be used by Apple Engineering in case of a support incident. Don't post the contents here.
Step 2
Disconnect all USB 3 devices. If you don't know which are USB 3, disconnect all USB devices except keyboard and mouse.
Step 3
If you're not using a wireless keyboard or trackpad, disable Bluetooth by selecting Turn Bluetooth Off from the menu with the Bluetooth icon. If you don't have that menu, open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and check the box marked Show Bluetooth in menu bar. Test. If you find that Wi-Fi works better with Bluetooth disabled, you should use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band. Your router may not support it; in that case, you need a new router.
Step 4
Open the Energy Saver pane in System Preferences and unlock the settings, if necessary. Select the Power Adapter tab, if there is one. Uncheck the box marked
Wake for Wi-Fi network access
if it's checked.
Step 5
Open the Network pane in System Preferences and make a note of your settings in the Wi-Fi service. It may be helpful to take screenshots of the various tabs in the preference pane. If the preference pane is locked, unlock it by clicking the padlock icon and entering your administrator password. Delete Wi-Fi from the service list on the left by selecting it and clicking the minus-sign button at the bottom. Then recreate the service by clicking the plus-sign button and following the prompts.
Step 6
In the Wi-Fi settings, select
Advanced... ▹ TCP/IP ▹ Configure IPv6: Link-local
Click OK and then Apply.
Step 7
Reset the System Management Controller.
Step 8
Reset the PRAM.
Step 9
Launch the Keychain Access application. Search for and delete all AirPort network password items that refer to the network. Make a note of the password first.
Step 10
Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service center.

Handoff and WiFi Hotspot not supported using iOS 8.1

I have recently downloaded Yosemite, which I understand was supported on my iMac i5 late 2009. Unfortunately a number of features, do not seem to be supported, namely Handoff and WiFi Hotspot. I have diligently followed the instructions, but they are not activated by my iMac. Can someone tell me, whether this is purely, a function of the age of my iMac or something that I may be doing wrong. Are there any other iMac i5 late 2009 users, who have got these features to work? If so, how?

http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/
Handoff and Instant Hotspot
Supported by the following Mac models:
MacBook Air (2012 or newer)
MacBook Pro (2012 or newer)
iMac (2012 or newer)
Mac mini (2012 or newer)
Mac Pro (Late 2013)
Handoff requires an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with a Lightning connector and iOS 8.

How to create adhoc Wifi Hotspot with iPhone to connect Apple TV for Mirroring and Airplay?

I don't want to use my iPhone to share or tether my iPad or laptop etc. with my cellular data plan.
What I want is to create a hotspot with my iPhone (or iPad) so that I may connect my Apple TV to the adhoc network so I am able to stream video and music from my iPhone to the Apple TV.
I do presentations in front of live audiences and want the ability to mirror my iPad or use Airplay to stream video and photos to the Apple TV without connecting to a public WiFi network.
The apple TV is so small, I just tuck it into my bag with an HDMI cable and I am able to tap into LCD projectors and flat screens and use keynote or video from my iPad so my audiences can see my presentations.
Seems pretty simple. But I cannot activate a hot spot on my iPhone without signing up for AT&T's service. Fact is, I have no need to tether my iPhone or iPad, I just want to create an adhoc Wifi network solely for the use of my Apple TV.
I posted this question to the iPhone discussions as well, but thought someone here has wanted to do the same thing.
Someone suggested just bringing any WiFi router and connecting devices to that. But that's not a solution. It's about mobility and simplicity and not creating a larger footprint.
Thoughts?

I am a presenter and I do what you want to do. I use an apple tv as the presentation device that connects to the projector. The thing that makes it all work together is the Apple Airport Express $99 and looks just like the APple TV but white: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC414LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg
Basically you define a wireless network ahead of time (using your iPad or iPhone and the Airport Config App) and let your iDevices connect to it and know the details ahead of time (so they will auto connect later).
You have a couple of options of connecting the airport express to the apple tv. I basically stacked them and used an ethernet cable but you can define the wireless connection also. I then strapped them to the projector (which I travel with) and used an HDMI cable from the apple TV to the projector.
Sometimes I present from my iPad...sometimes I present from my iPhone. Sometimes I present from my iPad but use the remote app on the iPhone to see the next screen. Now with Mountain Lion you could even present with a Macbook Pro (not needed though)
Wanna hear the coolest thing? When I want to demo something on the iPad instead of just showing the screen remotely using Airplay I use an App on the iPhone called Air Camera directed down at my iPad screen. The Air Camera sends the video to the Apple TV using Airplay and people are able to see my taps by seeing my fingers.
Another cool thing in a classroom setting with other iPads you are able to let people know your Wifi password and then display their iPad screen up on a projector to ask a question about something or demo something.
So for the extra $99 dolars for the Airport Express and a few minutes setting it up, wammo you have it!
One last note. If you actually do have wired internet at the podium you can connect it to the WAN port of the Airport express and all your iDevices would in addition have internet access. If you need internet access for all the devices and you are presenting in a place without internet then you have to bring a wireless hotspot in place of the airport express. This works equally well (again just setup the connection from the iDevices to the wireless hotspot ahead of time)
Have fun and good luck!

Hi... I've had my IPhone 4S since January 13, and it doesn't have the option to use it as a wifi hotspot? When all my friends iphones do. Is there a way to install in onto my phone? Or what do I need to do to get it??

Hi... I've had my IPhone 4S since January 13, and it doesn't have the option to use it as a wifi hotspot? When all my friends iphones do. Is there a way to install in onto my phone? Or what do I need to do to get it??
Thanks

Whether you can use your phone in this way is entirely the responsibility of your phone company/carrier. You need to contact them to see if you can add tethering to your phone plan. Be warned though that it could get rather expensive, so if you don't really need it, then do without, but in any instance, you need to contact your phone carrier.

Captive Network Assistant checks 249 different airport, hotel and other misc WiFi hotspots adding a good 3 minutes to my startup time.

Hey there,
During startup of my MacBook Pro, Captive Network Assistant checks 249 different airport, hotel and other misc. WiFi hotspots. Proabaly adding a good 3 minutes to my startup time. ***? This all started while I was on extended layover at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
I thought Captive Network Assistant was an iOS thing. No iOS devices in my home or office. Here's a portion of the console log during startup.
2/20/12 4:34:13.000 PM kernel: en1: 802.11d country code set to 'US'.
2/20/12 4:34:13.000 PM kernel: en1: Supported channels 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140 149 153 157 161 165
2/20/12 4:34:15.000 PM kernel: MacAuthEvent en1   Auth result for: 00:26:0a:ee:8f:b3 MAC AUTH succeeded
2/20/12 4:34:15.000 PM kernel: wlEvent: en1 en1 Link UP
2/20/12 4:34:15.000 PM kernel: AirPort: Link Up on en1
2/20/12 4:34:15.000 PM kernel: en1: BSSID changed to 00:26:0a:ee:8f:b3
2/20/12 4:34:16.386 PM genatsdb: *GENATSDB* FontObjects generated = 495
2/20/12 4:34:16.426 PM ntpd: bind(26) AF_INET6 fe80::fa1e:dfff:fed8:2f6d%5#123 flags 0x11 failed: Can't assign requested address
2/20/12 4:34:16.426 PM ntpd: unable to create socket on en1 (5) for fe80::fa1e:dfff:fed8:2f6d#123
2/20/12 4:34:23.308 PM configd: network configuration changed.
2/20/12 4:34:23.425 PM UserEventAgent: CaptiveNetworkSupport:CaptivePublishState:1211 en1 - Probe
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent: CaptiveNetworkSupport:CNSPreferencesBuildSSIDLookup:278 ssidLookup:
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent:   Estancia La Jolla
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent:   PatientInternet
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent:   MONZOON
2/20/12 4:34:23.552 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.553 PM UserEventAgent:   !Blue Peaks Public Wireless*~
2/20/12 4:34:23.554 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.554 PM UserEventAgent:   AIELKHORN
2/20/12 4:34:23.554 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.554 PM UserEventAgent:   Goldies341
2/20/12 4:34:23.554 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.555 PM UserEventAgent:   Royal on the Park Brisbane Pub
2/20/12 4:34:23.555 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.555 PM UserEventAgent:   hcc
2/20/12 4:34:23.555 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.555 PM UserEventAgent:   wireless_yokum
2/20/12 4:34:23.555 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   Picospot
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   bytelynk
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   Lynmar
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   WEBbeams-Argo Tea
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   ETHOSTREAM
Several hunderd lines of the same omitted..........
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   bigwireless
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   ParkInn-ethostream
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.556 PM UserEventAgent:   High Speed Internet
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:   OBC_wireless
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:   BTOpenzone-CaffeNero
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:   Airport View
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:   Telefonica
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.581 PM UserEventAgent:   Oaks Calypso Public Wireless
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:   White Sands Beach Resort
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:   public-supsi
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:   La Quinta Inn
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:   radisson
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent:       0 : com.apple.cnstest
2/20/12 4:34:23.582 PM UserEventAgent: *** process 11 exceeded 500 log message per second limit - remaining messages this second discarded ***
2/20/12 4:34:23.910 PM UserEventAgent: CaptiveUserAgent:doLaunchWebsheet:119 can't run websheet, -43
2/20/12 4:34:23.926 PM configd: network configuration changed.
2/20/12 4:34:24.016 PM com.apple.launchd: (com.apple.xprotectupdater[51]) Exited with code: 253
Looking at the times, I see this only takes a fraction of a second but my startup time is still much much longer than it ever was or should.
Does anyone have any idea on how to get rid of this? I deleted the Captive Network Assistant.app from my computer but the checking continues. It seems to be a rarely mentioned issue doing a web search, and nothing like this, although it's referred to in certain articles.
Really weird.
Gregg

I'd take another look at your startup log.
If you look closely, you'll see that all those log messages occurred in the space of 30 milliseconds - by comparison, a human blink takes about 150 milliseconds.
So while I don't doubt you're seeing slow startup time, I don't think CaptiveNetworkSupport is the culprit, per se.
Fortunately, since every startup event is timestamped, it should be easy enough to determine what task is taking the most time.
As for CNS, it's not just an iOS thing - it's standard in Mac OS X, too. I'm also under the impression (but can't confirm) that it only checks the networks that you've previously connected to, so check System Preferences -> Network -> AirPort -> Advanced -> WiFi and delete any networks you no longer use or expect to connect to.

TS1398 I have the ipad retina display version - I have a BIG issue with this when out and about that on about 50% of the time will it see my HTC mobile WiFi hotspot - rebooting either, or both devices doesn't cure the problem it drives me MAD!!!!

I have the ipad retina display version - I have a BIG issue with this when out and about, that only about 50% of the time will it see my HTC mobile WiFi hotspot - rebooting either, or both devices doesn't cure the problem it drives me MAD!!!!
The HTC hotspot works fine with everything else I connect to it.
Also - ipad will not connect to my HTC via bluetooth. Again, I can connect to everything else with my HTC other than my ipad.
I have to say this is my first venture into Apple products and I have always wanted to get away from my windows based laptop to get a MacBook, the problems I have had (flash player etc) & continue to have (as above) are putting me right off swapping over. I HATE technology that doesn't work and my ipad has been hard work!

I stated my ipad as being an ipad2, but I now think it is a 3??? It was new Jan this year and is the 64gb retina display version.
I really would like to get to the bottom on this problem wit mobile hotspots as it is sitting on my desk next to me now and I cannot get it to connect to my HTC mobile hotspot!!!! It might be taking a flying lesson soon at this rate!!! Grrrrrrr...........

Making iMac a wifi hotspot and firewall

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