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General discussion

Can't Access Secure Sites...

Dec 23, 2005 10:04PM PST

I am a college student and I take good care of my computer, unlike most people who seem to be incapable of simply searching the internet once without getting a virus or some sort of spyware, which is why it comes as a surprise to me that I am having so much trouble. I trust Mozilla Firefox more than Internet Explorer, and have been using the latest version (before the recent 1.5 release) since I heard about it. I have never really had problems with the browser until recently, when it began restricting my access to secure sites (Internet Explorer does it, too). I can use the internet, I just cannot login to e-mail sites, yahoo, my university profile, check the status of my bank accounts, or do anything that requires access to a secure server. However, the problem is not simply with the browser: I also cannot download utilize ".torrent" files (Shareaza opens the ".torrent" file but fails to begin downloading from the location the file specifies). The problem has nothing to do with my network, internet connection, my IP address, or my ISP. I have accessed the internet from various IP addresses, through a couple different internet service providers and I still get the same result. Now that I installed the 1.5 version of Firefox that was just released this past week or so, I cannot even establish a connection to ANY site using Firefox... only Internet Explorer works. Here's where I believe the problem stems from, yet I don't know how to fix it. I didn't start having this extreme of a problem until I tried uninstalling Norton AntiVirus and Internet Security. I haven't used LiveUpdate in forever (I don't want to pay 50 bucks to re-subscribe for such a crappy program) but Norton still gives me notifications about updating 24/7. So, I tried to uninstall, and was successfully able to up until the point where it prompts you to provide a password that the administrator setup originally, in order to continue the process. So I left it at that, not knowing that NORTON REALLY REALLY SUCKS, and that I would have such problems. I have since installed AVG Free Edition (I heard it wasn't bad and would still offer me a substantial amount of protection since I am not utilizing NAV anymore. Does this conflict with NAV? Also, I heard that since I uninstalled NAV I probably have "broken SSL's" which I have no idea about or how to go about fixing. I have run the Windows XP System File Checker but it didn't say if it fixed anything or not... the program closed as soon as the progress bar completed... the small window just closed without telling me anything at the end, but it was my first time using it so I'm not sure if it was supposed to. So, basically I want to get rid of Norton, fix whatever I need to with the SSL's or whatever needs to be fixed so I can connect to the internet through Firefox v1.5, I want to have sufficient antivirus and antispyware software installed and FUNCTIONAL on my computer, and I want to be able to use Shareaza to utilize ".torrent" files for downloading (filesharing programs such as Bearshare and Limewire work, just not programs related to ".torrent" files) I anyone has any suggestions or has had this problem, I would greatly appreciate any input or help you can provide. I'm pissed and frustrated. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Norton Internet Security Firewall?
Dec 23, 2005 10:43PM PST

If Norton Internet Security's Firewall is only partially uninstalled, it could give you a problem. Does it still show up in Add/Remove Programs? If so, try uninstalling again. If not, try re-installing the same version, then removing it. Also, do you have local Administrator rights on the computer? You'll probably have to have those to do what you're trying to do. Who installed Norton for you?

You might also make sure you have some Antispyware software like Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware, and Microsoft Antispyware installed, and updated.

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Re:
Dec 23, 2005 11:16PM PST

I appreciate your help... I tried uninstalling from Add/Remove and it prompted me about administrator rights... I'm working on uninstalling it further now as admin. Re-installing and uninstalling completely sounds like a good idea. Being a broke college student, which of the spyware and antivirus programs would be the best, as I can only afford one? Again, thanks.

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Just sharing what I use.
Dec 23, 2005 11:37PM PST

I use Free AVG (0$), ZoneAlarm (0$) and Mozilla to avoid spyware (0$).

Just my sort of budget.

bob

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Addition to Bob's list
Dec 24, 2005 2:40AM PST

In addition to what Bob uses, I also use Microsoft (M$) Antispyware (free if you have a valid copy of Windows 2000 or XP), SpywareGuard, and SpywareBlaster. All free. I prefer Sygate Personal Firewall (free), but ZoneAlarm's a great product too.

You could download Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy (both free) and update them and run a scan occaisonally if you're so inclined.

Bob may have a comment on whether all of this Antispyware is necessary if you primarily use Mozilla Firefox.

Also, just so you're aware, Kazaa, BearShare, and most 'free' filesharing programs are laden with spyware.

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About the "torrent" problem
Dec 27, 2005 2:25AM PST

Hi William,

I had some trouble with eMule (torrents are similar - i use Azureus for them) some time ago too. My problem was - i couldn't get a High ID for my connection - this means i can't connect to all the computers in the network, only the ones with this, so called, High ID. Some people also believe a Low ID causes low download speed.

Azureus (eMule and all the others) use ports so that other computers can connnect to your computer to download from it (i understand it this way). In case your computer, ISP, or anything else in the way between you and the other computer has a Firewall or a router - this can cause you problems with the required ports.

I, unfortunately, didn't solve my problem because of my ISP which uses something to bloc this stuff, but, nevertheless, i can still download and everything.

So, what i was trying to say all this time - check and configure eveything - all firewalls, all routers you or your ISP (although you have said they don't cause this problem) has. And, with a bit of luck, you should be back on course soon!

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same problem- not spyware
Jan 18, 2006 4:58AM PST

hi,
I've been having the same problem on my laptop- can't access most sites that require a password- however when I bring my laptop somewhere other than home I have no problems, it seems to be a prob w/my connection more than anything else, i have a tech guy coming tomorrow to check it out but if you solved your issues let me know how.
tks! jazz

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Can't Access Secure Sites...
Jan 19, 2006 2:52AM PST

I am haveing the same prob have you figured it out yet?

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Not sure if this problem is solved yet, but the answer is:
Feb 6, 2006 2:09AM PST
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solved!
Feb 6, 2006 6:46AM PST

I didn't have norton on my computer so that wasn't the issue for me. I'm not sure why but after bringing my laptop over to a friend's place and updating microsoft updates (something I was unable to do at home since it's a secured site) the problem was solved.
Hope that helps!