Use the Mac System Firewall to block Applications. Use a software firewall like LuLu to block individual plugins (and applications also). Use a Hosts file entry if you want it blocked for good. But it means you cannot visit those websites. You want your DAW blocked very well. Not because you are worried about communication with Ableton.com, but because you do not want plugins loaded inside that application being able to send traffic out.

 

Yeah, I used to block hosts as well, and just setting up a new system from scratch, so will probably end up going down that route at some point soon. I've read some issues on GasMask etc that make things easier, so I will probably just do it with Terminal etc (with a backup of course)...

hell, usually when I'm in work mode or futzing around with anything k'd, I'm offline anyways, and if I need the internet, I tend to use another machine on sidecar kinda thing... and I just thinking of going dual boot just to keep things cleaner... (and I make everyone I work with turn off their wifi and whatnot if I can, as I tend to find people work a little better without the distractions...)...

Thanks for the insight on you handle it.

 

that is probably from using Windows machines. You are not running a machine where every 16 year old script kiddie with nmap and a 6 month old "zero day" will randomly bother to take the time to even screw with your Mac. You are using your firewall software to keep data and information in so your license info holds, not random drive-by attackers out. Online distractions can be the bigger time-consumer. Otherwise, you'd have to be pretty desperate to get distracted by things like gaming on a Mac; unless you have some sort of thing for Doom 2.

 

lol. yeah, I don't game as much these days. It's been awhile since Doom 2, and that gave me DIMS anyways....

Yeah, I'm not worried about drive-by's at all... and my intended 'policy' in the studio is just to keep people from looking at their devices as some kinda procedural 'tick', and I find it better when people focus on the matter at hand... but there are reasons for and exceptions...

And yup, I'm just trying too keep some licenses to hold, as I mix legit and 'test' stuff etc.. and I backup daily and whatnot so not too concerned.. I just realize that, hey, I'm entering into a new land of upgraded OS after keeping my work systems pretty much on ice for a long time, and want to make sure my 6 is covered to at least a proper degree.