Have Internet security programs gone too far?
I want to know if other people think that this is as insanely stupid as I think it is. I had to help a client today that couldn't access https (ssl encrypted) sites. It just kept giving him a "This page cannot be displayed" error. We ran through the normal items of making sure ssl was installed correctly and the such but couldn't find the problem. We came to find out that Norton Internet Security was blocking port 443 (the port that ssl uses to communicate securely across the Internet). Now this is my question:
What good is an "Internet Security" program if it denies you from accessing "secure" encrypted web pages?
This seems like the most stupid thing I've ever come across. Are we so worried about covering our own rears that we cannot do what is best for our clients? Are they so worried that if they open port 443 by default it would be too large of a hole for hackers? If so, why open other non 80 type ports by default?
Anyway, I wonder if this shows how nervous we are about doing what is right compared to doing what will keep us from getting sued. I just think of the little ol' grandmas out there that get an "Internet Security" program to help protect them online, just to have the stupid thing keep them from going to secure pages where their information would be more secure than normal everyday browsing. Have we really fallen so far that we aren't doing what our core products should be doing? Long live those who do what is right just because it is what should be done.
You should follow me on twitter here 
Get Started Now
Go to our information sheets to
start building your website today!
Browse By Category
Filed Under: Security, Internet Security, Norton Antivirus
Please feel free to leave a comment or question about the article
"Internet Security Programs Flawed?"
Comments
2
Rob Stanley
I´ve used NIS for some 3 years, with only the usual horrific system-lag to contend with.
Last week however, and with no changes to my system, NIS began blocking all https pages and steaming content for me also.
Whilst I´ve rectified the problem (by turning off the Norton Firewall, and going back to Windows Firewall), I´m no longer prepared to put up with the glitches and annoyances asscoiated with NIS - it´s coming off my system for good this week, and I´m never buying another Symantec product again.
3
Shawn Douglas
How do i turn Norton Firewall off for 2007?
4
Liam
What´s worse, is I know a LOT of PC´s like HP and Dells come preconfigured with Norton.
I´m the IT manager of an e-commerce site, and the last several days we´ve had to deal with (potential) customers who keep having problems getting past the credit card authorization.we finally narrowed it down to the Norton!
5
Katia
I have exactly that problem and no idea how to solve it, turning off the firewall doesn´t seem to work. I don´t know how to ´´go back´´ to windows firewall.
6
steve
I such got off the phone with Norton. can´t access https sites A real user guide would be nice to help fix this. What a piece of crap ! Will the MS fire wall do the same thing ?
7
Chet
Wow. I just had to make a house call for a friend who was up against this same problem. I could not believe what I did (adding port 443) to make it work. Why the heck would this be off at all? How in the world would the average person figure this out?
8
Andy
Guess what - latest norton release and it is still there!
What is even funnyer is that it blocks the product suite from going to the Norton site so you can update your subscription and manage your Norton account.
As soon as my subscription expires I will be throwing this product away and getting one that works out of the box.
1
Gary Lucas
It´s worse than that. 10 months after your original post, I installed Norton 2007 and observed the same problem. The worst part? Norton doesn´t even have a solution posted on their web site. I guess they figure it´s a way to generate revenue for their call-in center (which charges for $29 per call). At this point, I would recommend that no one EVER purchase or install Norton Internet Security.