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#1 2003-01-18 11:39 pm
- RoboCop001
- Member
- From: Toronto
- Registered: 2002-01-30
- Posts: 322
MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
Hello. I have two problems I need solutions too and I can't seem to fix either of them.
The problem I've been having with MSN Messenger and it's file transfer service is that recently (meaning about a month) when my friend has tried to send me something, it would not work. Before this, some files would send and others would fail to be sent. I also can't seem to send her anything as well. I turn off both my firewalls (the built in one and the Norton one) but she is still unable to send me anything. It used to work, and she can send files to other friends, but not me. I don't remember installing anything that might affect this. It just started to not work all of the sudden. My friend has a PC and my other friend who she also sends things to also has a PC. Would me having a Mac affect the ability to send files? I don't think it should and I doubt that's it.
For the built in firewall I use Brickhouse and the firewall is clearly off. The Norton Personal Firewall has been acting retardedly recently. It all of the sudden says that the Norton Personal Firewall extension cannot be found, and therefore I cannot use it. That's retarded because I have OS X 10.1 and OS X does not use extensions the way OS 9 did. One day it just started saying that. Then, when I went to update the firewall, the installer said "Unable to continue. File not found: NortonPersonalFirewall". So, I renamed Norton Personal Firewall to NortonPersonalFirewall, but that didn't work. What am I to do?
Does anyone have any ideas for either problems?
Thank you for your co-operation.
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#2 2003-01-18 11:58 pm
- [MA] Flying_Meat
- Member
- From: Frisco?
- Registered: 2001-03-31
- Posts: 8515
Re: MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
try deinstalling the Norton Personal Firewall.
You should only use 1 firewall product. Choose the one that works the best and use that one.
Just a thought.
...and watch out for the flying meat!
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#3 2003-01-19 12:18 am
- RoboCop001
- Member
- From: Toronto
- Registered: 2002-01-30
- Posts: 322
Re: MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
Does having 2 firewalls cause conflict? I always thought it would be better. Two firewalls, twice the protection.
Thank you for your co-operation.
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#4 2003-01-19 12:34 am
- RoboCop001
- Member
- From: Toronto
- Registered: 2002-01-30
- Posts: 322
Re: MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
I've reinstalled the Norton Personal Firewall. It works now. Thanks for your suggestion.
Thank you for your co-operation.
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#5 2003-01-19 12:59 pm
- [MA] Flying_Meat
- Member
- From: Frisco?
- Registered: 2001-03-31
- Posts: 8515
Re: MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
Whether there is a conflict depends on what files are being altered by each program.
If you set something in one program, the other program may only remember the settings you changed in IT.
The dual firewall situation is good for corporate entities, generally. The two firewalls are also generally on seperate machines or they control ports, etc. on seperate network interface cards.
I'm unaware of a situation where two firewalls on a single machine, attempting to control the same network interface, is a good thing.
If you know of a situation where this is desirable and will not cause conflicts, please point me to it. I hate being in the dark about such things. 
...and watch out for the flying meat!
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#6 2003-01-19 6:17 pm
- RoboCop001
- Member
- From: Toronto
- Registered: 2002-01-30
- Posts: 322
Re: MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
I make sure both are blocking/allowing the same ports.
I don't know any specific situations where there is proof that 2 is better, but I do know that I haven't had any problems so far. I've been doing this dual-firewall thing for about 2 years.
Does anyone have any ideas about the ridiculous MSN Messenger problem?
Thank you for your co-operation.
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#7 2003-01-19 9:57 pm
- test
- Member
- From: Collingwood, Ont., CANADA
- Registered: 2002-12-13
- Posts: 5300
Re: MSN Messenger issues and Norton Prettyuseless Firewall
From what I have seen of other M$ stuff it is best to keep it away from the 'net. I don't have much experience with MSN Messenger, but it has all been bad. My room-mate uses it and to get it to work at all I had to set the router so his machine is a DMZ. Even so he still has trouble from time to time. Every once in a while his machine just won't connect to 'net for a few days.
As for the two firewall theory, I don't know. I'm one of those weirdos who actualy likes UNIX so I use the built in ipfw and rolled my own rule set with vim. If I hook my system up to the DSL modem directly, bypassing the firewall in the router, I get better stealth than if I hook up via the LAN. I am not bragging, just saying ipfw is a pretty solid thing. Combine it with snort, a few TCP stack tweaks and Navigator hacks and you have a pretty tight system. I guess a little extra security can't hurt, though. I know FireWalk X has an ipfw compatibility setting, so it is possible to run two firewalls if you want, but I don't know if it is actually more secure.
Patience is a virtue of the weak for it makes them stand still long enough for the strong to crush them with ease.
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