How do I block SSH access on Mac OSX?

Question

Hackers have gained root access my Mac OS X using SSH remote access and automatic WiFi login. How do I block login access to SSH?

Solution

How do I block login access to SSH?

You should run the following command from the command line.

sudo systemsetup -setremotelogin off

It might be worth pointing out, that the command will prompt you, to confirm you actually want this feature off.

When you successfully execute the command, you will be asked: “Do you really want to turn remote login off? If you do, you will lose this connection and can only turn it back on locally at the server (yes/no)?” so type “yes” to confirm, which will disable SSH and also disconnect any active SSH connections to the Mac in question.

You can avoid that prompt by using the following command.

sudo systemsetup -f -setremotelogin off

Sources

• Turn Off SSH on Mac OS with systemsetup

Comments

[Ramhound]

Please edit your question to include the output, of the following command, sudo systemsetup -getremotelogin

[Giacomo1968]

How do you know this has happened? Unless remote login is enabled in the sharing panel under system access nobody should have SSH access.

[Tetsujin]

The root bug was only publicly known for 24h before Apple released a patch. If you haven't yet updated... now would be the time. Otherwise, there is no route to root on a Mac; it is disabled by default so you would have had to manually open that door.