NIS 2012 Firewall - Ping Test

Norton Security | Norton Internet Security
1

Hi.

I've just registered and I'm not sure if this topic has arisen before, and if it has, perhaps somone could be kind enough to advise me how to find the discussion.

I've just reinstalled NIS 2012 after an issue, and upon completion of configuring scan settings etc, I decided to do something that I hadn't done for quite a while. I ran a Firewall Test - checking that my system was stealthed, using the G....n site. I used to subject any newly acquired firewall to such a test, but I've been using Nortons NIS for a few years now so I can't recall if I did one when I originally moved to Norton.

Regardless, the tests I've just run indicate (according to the results) that whilst my system is "stealthed", it did reply to a Ping Test, "making it visible on the Internet.". My understanding was that this was something that a good firewall should prevent. However, there may be a simple reason for this which can be easily remedied, Whilst I'm not a novice user, I often use the default settings, at least until I think that there is a good reason to change one (or more).

In regard to this test and result, I'm not sure if there is a real issue or not, although this testing site has been around a long time and seems to be well regarded by those who write on computer security matters. I'm keen to hear from anyone who may be more knowledgable about this than me, and who is able to offer some possible explanation and/or guidance.

Thanks

vagabonder

2

Hello vagabonder

 

Welcome to the Norton Community

 

The tests you have run are actually testing your router's firewall and not Norton's. Things have to go thru the router first before Norton can protect you.

3

Thanks for your response. I'll do the test again today where I'm not behind a router.

If the test actually scans routers ports, then I assume that the information which suggests that my ports are stealthed,

is also unreliable. Would that be a reasonable inference?

I'll report back later about the result of doing this test without using a router.

Thanks again.

Regards

Vagabonder

 

4

Hi Floplot. You are right about the router being scanned instead of my system. It didn't occur to me because I usually don't go onto the net behind a router. I was at a friends place and he uses a wireless router.

Mystery solved.

Cheers

Vagabonder