Norton Internet Security / Norton AntiVirus

[cburke]

I just got a new Vista machine from Dell with NIS 2007 preloaded. I've tried to configure NIS to ask me what to do, and do no automatic configuration, to force it to configure the programs I want configured in exactly the way I want them to run. However, I still need to turn off the firewall to allow things like Java to make network connections, and I still get messages in the log saying that 'the user has chosen to block' the application even though I (the only user) didn't get any prompts to block or not block. This is infuriating; how do I make your product work as advertised?

I have managed to get some programs to register correctly after repeated juggling. It's not clear if I need to reboot after every attempt, or just what is required to ddo it. Please help me out here.

[MelodicWynd]

hi cburke - i think your best bet would be to upgrade to 2008 - the learning mode on the firewall works very well and i didn't need to do any manual configuration. with a valid subscription, you can download and install it on top of your 2007 and your subscription should persist.

mel 

[Stu]

You can set your firewall so it will ask when a program is about to be executed. Is that what you mean?

[cburke]

I know there's an option for having NIS "Ask me what to do", instead of making the decision on its own. That option is selected. It is the only option that is selected, other than the radio button that turns the firewall on. NIS is ignoring it, and is making decisions on my behalf without prompting me for my decision; the log is claiming that the user (me) has decided to block connection one time, when in fact that decision is being taken non-interactively. That's the bug I'm complaining about.

If I can upgrade to NIS 2008 without additional cost, and if that upgrade fixes this problem for Vista, then I'll think about doing it.

[Tony_Weiss Administrator]

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cburke wrote:
...If I can upgrade to NIS 2008 without additional cost, and if that upgrade fixes this problem for Vista, then I'll think about doing it. 

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Hi cburke,

The remaining time on your NIS 2007 subscription will be applied to the upgraded NIS 2008. If you use the link posted by Mel, you'll be able to have NIS 2008 installed, using the subscription that you had purchased for NIS 2007. Thanks!

[Bryan]

IF, and that's a big IF you want to get those pop-ups you can also select Program Component Monitoring or Program Launch Monitoring.

That means every time that application tries to access the internet, you will see a prompt.

When you just select Ask Me What to Do, if the application is somewhat "white listed" you will not see the prompt for it, unless you update that particular application to it's latest version.

Example: Using Default IE7 from Vista and not upgrading it.  In this scenario you wouldn't see the pop up if you selected that option.  Now if you were upgrade to IE8, you may see the pop up. 

[cburke]

Bryan, I originally had those boxes unchecked so that I would only get 1 alert instead of 3 (I had briefly managed to get them active, and it asked me about too many duplicate things so I unchecked them). However, now when I check them NIS just silently blocks _all_ traffic, whether the application is set to allow or not. SymNCTS will reset those and let me get back the connectivity I had, but I can't increase the alert settings at this point.

[matt_phillips]

Hello cburke,

I've sent you an off-line email. Many thanks for your patience.

Matt

[mj]

I should have known better....

Clicked on link to update my Vista version of NIS (had same problem as above with lack of program prompts when new program/application is used).... successfully uninstalled my current NIS version and rebooted.... replaced/re-installed no update.

Clicked again on link, and it appears to have installed an update. Had to force it to Run LiveUpdate (previous settings were automatic).

Another "bonus"--- the uninstall and reinstall nuked all of my Vista sidebar gadgets and disable my Verisign biometric application.

[removed by admin]

Message Edited by Tony_Weiss on 05-12-2008 02:41 PM

[MelodicWynd]

hi mj - sorry to learn of the frustrations. if i can summarize, the problem you had was with not being able to get the firewall to prompt you for individual new program access. you were prompted to install a new version of NIS, which you did and which i assume means you are now on 15.5 on Vista. following installation, automatic liveupdate failed to run after an indeterminate period and so you ran a manual LiveUpdate. following the installation of NIS, your sidebar gadgets were gone and you biometric application is now failing.

i haven't seen any other posts referencing the gadget issue, but perhaps the good folks at the Vista forum can help if that problem persists:

http://thevistaforums.com/ 

for the firewall prompting, ensure that the option for "Automatically decide what to do" in the Internet Security Options / Personal Firewal / General settings is disabled. you can then look the individual program control list and see if there is any you want to remove.

mel