Ever wonder which Mac apps are chattering behind your back, which websites are really being accessed, or what other hidden Internet traffic might be getting sent? Little Snitch helps Mac users even the playing field, by reporting on each and every outbound communication. Little Snitch makes it easy to allow or deny attempts, forever or just for that session, and even confine permissions to specific ports.
Like any other permission-based security program, there's a training curve with which you'll have to contend. But with a little bit of patience, Little Snitch rules can be established to allow the sites and apps you trust so that all you're left with are new alerts for previously unseen connection attempts.
While some Mac users might question the need for such a robust (and potentially intrusive) security measure, developments in the Mac malware space may make products like Little Snitch a must-have. As an example, v3 of the BlackHole RAT is hidden from the built-in Mac OS X firewall - meaning that those infected won't have any BlackHole RAT outbound communications blocked.
Security concerns aside, Little Snitch provides a great way to control the background chatter otherwise legitimate apps may be doing. Such controls can be especially helpful for those on limited data plans with their ISP or simply those experiencing bandwidth congestion.
Although during its initial "training period", Little Snitch may seem overly intrusive, with a little bit of time and patience it will quickly adapt to your needs. Once that transition is made, Little Snitch will undoubtedly become a favorite tool, whether for security, privacy, or simply bandwidth preservation.
Little Snitch retails for about $30 USD, with special pricing for additional licenses. A three hour trial copy lets you test drive the app.