Little Snitch Big Sur: Resolving Issues with macOS and VPN Connections

If you've been experiencing issues with your Mac's applications launching slowly or failing to open since the Big Sur update around November 12th, you're not alone. The good news is that Little Snitch has identified two key issues and provided solutions to help resolve these problems.

Issue 1: Apple Notarization for Apps

The first issue revolves around Apple's notarization feature, which verifies that apps aren't harmful and haven't been modified. This security feature can cause problems with VPN connections, particularly when using the OVPN client. However, after extensive research and testing, Little Snitch has found that the killswitch in the OVPN client uses the Packet Filter (PF) firewall to prevent data leakage from native Apple apps.

Issue 2: Apple Apps Circumventing VPN Connections

The second issue is that Apple-created apps typically bypass VPN connections. This can be a concern for users who rely on VPNs for security and privacy. Fortunately, Little Snitch has implemented measures to address this issue and ensure that your data remains secure.

In addition to resolving these two key issues, the latest update from Little Snitch has also introduced several improvements and bug fixes. These include:

* Improved presentation of background processes in System Settings > Login Items on macOS Ventura

* Visual feedback when clicking connection endpoints on the map in Network Monitor

* Faster opening of the map in Network Monitor to ensure it displays correctly within the visible area of the screen

* Option-clicking on the disclosure icon of a connection in Network Monitor now expands to all descending rows

* The command line tool now creates a code coverage file (default.profraw) in the working directory

* Fixed bugs in Network Monitor, including one that prevented details from being revealed when clicking on a connection's disclosure icon and another that affected map annotations

* Improved display of keyboard shortcuts in settings

* Filtering connections in Network Monitor is now faster

* The Configuration app starts faster, especially if you have many rules

Overall, the latest update from Little Snitch aims to provide a better user experience and ensure that your Mac's applications launch quickly and securely.

Little snitch big sur