Recommended Configuration Settings

For Mountain Lion to function properly within our computing environment, we recommend the configuration settings below.

Ensure Software Update Runs Daily

Select System Preferences from the Apple menu or Dock.
Select Software Update. If necessary, click the lock icon to make changes. Enter an Administrator username and password when prompted. This is the Administrator account for your computer.
Click Scheduled Check.
Ensure the following options are "checked" the following: :
- Check for updates Daily.
- Download updates automatically.
- Automatically update system support files.
Click the back arrow to return to System Preferences.

Select System Preferences from the Apple menu or Dock, if not already open.
Select Security & Privacy.
Click General and check the following:
- Require password and choose immediately from the drop-down menu.
- Disable automatic login.
- Allow application downloaded from: Anywhere.
Click Firewall. If the firewall is not on, click Start or Turn Firewall On.
Click Firewall Options.
Verify the following settings:
- Uncheck - Block all incoming connection.
- Check - Automatically allow signed software to receive connections.
- Uncheck - Enable stealth mode.
Click the back arrow to return to System Preferences.

Select System Preferences from the Apple menu or Dock, if not already open.
Select Network.
Click Ethernet > Advanced > DNS.
Click the + to add the following search domains:
- cmu.edu
- ad.cmu.edu
- andrew.ad.cmu.edu
Click OK.
Select WiFi > Advanced > DNS.
Click the + to add the following search domains:
- cmu.edu
- ad.cmu.edu
- andrew.ad.cmu.edu
Click OK and then Apply.
To prevent further changes, click the lock icon and close the window.

From the Finder, select Applications > Utilities.
Double-click Java Preferences.app to open.
Click Install when prompted. If Install does not display, Java is already installed.
Close Java Preferences.