Norton internet security messin with my network

Mclaren · Post by **Mclaren** » 11 May 2007, 11:58

Hi

I have installed norton internet security 2007 on my note book and my pc. i have now got the problem whereby my 2 pcs cannot see each other through my home network. i am using a stlabs 8 port switch.

i unistalled norton, no luck, i then formatted both machines and reinstalled xp and all software except norton, everything works fine. as soon as i install norton, my pcs cannot see each other. the icons in the tasksbar show i am connected, but when i search for the other pc no luck.
don't wanna log onto the net till i have antivirus.
how do i fix ?

PsyCLown · Post by **PsyCLown** » 11 May 2007, 12:14

Norton is a pathetic internet security suite. Also Nortons firewall was probably preventing you from seeing your other PC. Why it still didnt pick it up after you uninstalled Norton, I dunno. Maybe Norton didnt uninstall properly or somehting like that? :S

Mclaren · Post by **Mclaren** » 11 May 2007, 12:16

i disabled evrything in norton to do with the firewall.

I have now decided to use avg free.

Post by **Anthro** » 11 May 2007, 12:17

Stupid question but are they on the same workgroup etc etc ?

PsyCLown · Post by **PsyCLown** » 11 May 2007, 12:20

Hmm, I personally dont like AVG much. Id rather recommand using Avast Homw (its also free) and then use the free version of ZOnealarm for your firewall!

rustypup · Post by **rustypup** » 11 May 2007, 12:22

Anthropoid wrote:Stupid question but are they on the same workgroup etc etc ?

also:
1) did you add the workgroup's ip range to norton's exception list OR
2) did you add each host's id to norton's exception list
3) did you specify the security level for the trusted zone, (ie, the lan), as MEDIUM
4) did you verify that xp's *own* firewall was being disabled by norton, (i've seen this conflict many times)...

regardless, i'd still punt outpost as being the best choice out there, (if you can't afford the hardware option, that is...), with AVG as a fair second...

@PsyCLown: za is just as niggly where local lans are concerned...

Mclaren · Post by **Mclaren** » 11 May 2007, 13:05

@ rustypup.....

huh ?????

when it comes to antivirus and firewalls i am clue less.

will go back and try all that. if i can find them.

how does a router firewall work ?

SBSP · Post by **SBSP** » 11 May 2007, 13:32

Well that would be a hardware firewall.

that would basically block ports for data coming in or out.

I would say if have a mini lan at home dont stress about a hardware fire wall.
a software firewall should be enough,

The diff is a software firewall can block per application and not just by port.
E.G Zone alarm every time an application tries to go to the Internet e.g Java updater on Internet explorer it will notify you that its trying to go to the Internet and you can then allow it or tell the firewall to remember it as an exception and next time it goes to the Internet it wont notify you, as you can imagine you dont want it to be notified every time you use Internet explorer.
But a software firewall can block ports as well.

E.G HTTP (Notmal web browsing happens over Port 80) by default.
and E.g Email going out Port 25 incoming POP3 110 ect.....
a hardware firewall would block the ports you dont want open.
normally every single port except the ones you want to use (Mail HTTP,HTTPs ect...)

Mostly in companies you would use a hardware firewall and force configure your network to make every body access the Internet via the hardware firewall.

Less hassle and you dont always want people to sit and download things via P2P. ect...

rustypup · Post by **rustypup** » 11 May 2007, 14:19

SBSP wrote:Mostly in companies you would use a hardware firewall and force configure your network to make every body access the Internet via the hardware firewall.

the other benefits of the hardware option are zero connectivity issues betwen LAN machines and zero resources being leveraged for scanning incomming and outgoing connections, so a more responsive lan experience all round...