NIS ver 21.01.18 blocks Ethernet at boot (for about 15 seconds)?

Hope someone can help me, I have NIS2013 installed with default settings and fully updated.

 

Whenever I boot my system my LAN/Ethernet is blocked for about 15 seconds.  Windows reports that I have an invalid IP.  If I troubleshoot it/diagnose repeatedly about 5 times it goes away and everything fine.

 

However, if I immediately disable the "Smart Firewall" for Norton - there is no problem at all.  Then 15 mins later or earlier if I want, I simply reenable the Smart Firewall and all is well.

 

I'd like to know how to disable this feature.  I'm assuming it's some protection from a virus/trojan immediately getting access to my system before Norton fully loads or some such but it's very annoying when I've tuned my system to boot so quickly to have to wait for my Ethernet to function because of Norton.

 

And...for those who say it's not Norton, I've removed the program and nothing else and the problem goes away.  I reinstall the program, it shows back up.  I disable the Smart Firewall, problem goes away.  I don't touch the Smart Firewall and problem is there.  So CLEARLY it's Norton.

 

Thanks.