Could not open Hotmail .doc and .pdf attachments after NIS 2009 install

I recently installed NIS 2009 on three computers (2 Dell laptops running XP, 1 Dell desktop running Vista). I had been running NAV 2009 on all 3 computers with no problem. After the NIS install, I could not open .doc and .pdf attachments in Hotmail using the IE7 browser. After consulting with Norton support, we found two possible solutions:

 

1) Disable the NIS Parental Controls add-on (I had downloaded this NIS add-on and set it to "teen"), or

 

2) temporarily disable the NIS Antiphishing control in Identity Settings before opening attachments and re-enable the NIS Antiphishing control after opening/downloading the attachments.

 

I was reassured by Norton support that the AutoProtect feature (which should NEVER be disabled!) will address any issues when the NIS Antiphishing control is temporarily disabled and the attachments are downloaded. I was also reassured that the Antiphishing filter in IE7 should remain enabled and will offer protection when the NIS Antiphishing control is temporarily disabled.

 

I personally have found that permanently disabling the NIS Parental Controls allows me to open Hotmail attachments on all three of my computers and that is the solution I have chosen.