LittleSnitch for Linux

So if this is free to use on linux, what is to stop someone from doing what Colima did to Docker? Aka make a tiny Linux VM on MacOS and package Little Snitch within that?

Re: LittleSnitch for Linux

#5

Post by rvz » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 12:46 AM UTC

Also from [0].

> You can find Little Snitch for Linux here. It is free, and it will stay that way.

Don't worry, the authors know that there's no point in charging Linux users. Unlike Mac users.

So you might as well make it $0 and the (Linux) crowd goes wild that they don't need to pay a cent.

However...

> I researched a bit, found OpenSnitch, several command line tools, and various security systems built for servers. None of these gave me what I wanted: see which process is making which connections, and in the best case deny with a single click.

OpenSnitch is open source. You don't need to trust it as you can see the code yourself. Little Snitch on the other hand, is completely closed source.

Do you still trust them not to do self-reporting or phoning home, even though it is $0 and closed source?

[0] https://obdev.at/blog/little-snitch-for-linux/

Re: LittleSnitch for Linux

#6

Post by alhazrod » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 12:47 AM UTC

I remember before Little Snitch there was ZoneAlarm for Windows[0] (here is a good screenshot[1]). No clue if the current version of ZoneAlarm does anything like that (have not used it in 2 decades). I always found it weird that Linux never really had anything like it.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZoneAlarm

[1]: https://d2nwkt1g6n1fev.cloudfront.net/helpmax/wp-content/upl...

Re: LittleSnitch for Linux

#7

Post by lapcat » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 12:47 AM UTC

Bromeo wrote: post #3

How does it compare to opensnitch? https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitch

"I researched a bit, found OpenSnitch, several command line tools, and various security systems built for servers. None of these gave me what I wanted: see which process is making which connections, and in the best case deny with a single click." https://obdev.at/blog/little-snitch-for-linux/

Re: LittleSnitch for Linux

#8

Post by azinman2 » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 12:53 AM UTC

SamuelAdams wrote: post #4

So if this is free to use on linux, what is to stop someone from doing what Colima did to Docker? Aka make a tiny Linux VM on MacOS and package Little Snitch within that?

I don't think it'll have access to the macOS connections, and certainly cannot act at the kernel-supported level as a firewall on the Mac side.

Re: LittleSnitch for Linux

#9

Post by lapcat » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 12:53 AM UTC

rvz wrote: post #5

Also from [0]. > You can find Little Snitch for Linux here. It is free, and it will stay that way. Don't worry, the authors know that there's no point in charging Linux users. Unlike Mac users. So you might as well make it $0 and the (Linux) crowd goes wild that they don't need to pay a cent. However... > I researched a bit, found OpenSnitch, several command line tools, and various security systems built for servers.…

> Do you still trust them not to do self-reporting or phoning home, even though it is $0 and closed source?

If you trust Little Snitch on Mac, then yes.

They've been in business for over 20 years. They're not going to blow their entire business and reputation for a few Linux users.

Re: LittleSnitch for Linux

#10

Post by Avicebron » Thu, Apr 09, 2026, 12:54 AM UTC

Probably should throw it out there that I'm building something inspired by littleSnitch for windows. Currently a bit stealthy about it. But when I crowd source the funding for a code signing cert I'll get it out there. Lots of inspiration from LittleSnitch, in spirit if not actual code.