Symantec Blocks Pro-gun Sites

ma-firearms ^ | 11/3/03

[pabianice]

Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2003 14:59:30 -0500 (EST)

From: [ ]

To: ma-firearms@world.std.com

Subject: Symantec Says No To Pro-Gun Sites

You might want to reconsider buying Symantec products:

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/11/02/1729239&mode=thread&tid=103&tid=153&tid=99

"A recent American Rifleman contained small column that said that Symantec's new Internet Security 2004 would block pro gun rights sites (i.e. NRA sites), while not blocking similar anti-gun rights web sites. Being the eternal skeptic, this claim was tested by downloading the trial version and running some tests against it. To my surprise I found the every NRA site was blocked and was in the category 'weapons.' This even included the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. Some sites that were not blocked where such notable anti-gun rights site such as The Brady Campaign, and Good Bye Guns. The only anti-gun rights site that was blocked that I could find was Hand Gun Control's web site."

"My rather informal test still raises the spectre that a large corporate entity may be clandestinely trying to sway you or your child's political views by censoring content from one side of a political debate. This is indeed chilling, especially considering that such software is required to be used in libraries to protect children. Is this political slant common in censorware? Have slashdotters found similar glitches in other 'parental control' software?""

[oldironsides]

I did not realize that Symantic did this. Really? I just went into the NRA and other website without any problems at all. I use Symantec. Someone passing bogus info?

[Prime Choice]

I honestly don't know if this is Symantec itself or if they contract out their content-filtering database maintainers. This should be determined before weilding the Great Economic Mallet of Destiny.

The problem with all content-filtering databases is that they are little but a manifestation of personal bias of the people who populate them. And since many of the software companies exist in what I call "The Berzerkeley Zone" (e.g., Silicon Valley, San Jose, Mountain View, and San Francisco), it only stands to reason that those irrational left-wing biases would ultimately be incorporated into the product.

I've had my own run-ins with content-filtering sites. Especially with their hypocritical double-standards that label conservative sites in unflattering categories while leaving their counterparts (which are often *worse*) unscathed. That's some ethical barometer they got there...

[Prime Choice]

I did not realize that Symantic did this. Really? I just went into the NRA and other website without any problems at all. I use Symantec. Someone passing bogus info?

Are you using their parental control web content filtering utility, or just their antivirus suite?

[yonif]

So does it ban the access of the US Army website?

[RedWing9]

AVG Anti virus is free. I've never had a virus problem since I installed AVG. Did I mention that it is free?

What does anti-virus software have to do with gun-sites being blocked by firewalls?

I've been running Symantec(nee Norton) since the early 90's and I've never gotten a virus. Whooop-de-dooo...

[RedWing9]

Albeit I run Norton Corporate AntiVirus also and haven't had any problems with blocking pro gun sites with either ???

Could that be because Symanted Anti-Virus does not block sites? yet Symantec Personal Firewall does...

[RJL]

I just went into the NRA and other website without any problems at all. I use Symantec. Someone passing bogus info?

Are you using this new 2004 version?
Symantec's new Internet Security 2004 would block pro gun rights sites (i.e. NRA sites)

[Dazedcat]

I would suggest Zone Alarm as an alternative to Norton. The free version is terrific, it blocks everything and doesn't require a lot of system resources to run. The free version also lets you customize what programs you want to grant access to the internet. It's also updated frequently. The Zone Alarm Pro which costs money has a lot more functionality (individual blocking or opening of select ports, etc.) I use the free version and its passed every internet security site that checks for open ports and vulernabilities that I've been to.

I gave up on Symantec products after their Utilities 2002 fiasco. There's better and cheaper (can't beat free) alternatives out there for sure.

[ImpBill]

I have Norton Anti Virus running and have been able to open every NRA, gun page I tried. Don't see any problem.

[Squantos]

Dunno.....I use zone alarm for a firewall. Stay Safe !

[ImpBill]

Same here NAV 2004, registered version and no problems going to www.nra.org and numerous hand gun sites.

[PhilipFreneau]

>>I have Norton Anti Virus running and have been able to open every NRA, gun page I tried

Norton Anti-Virus is not the same as Norton Internet Security 2004.

[PhilipFreneau]

>> Same here NAV 2004, registered version and no problems going to www.nra.org and numerous hand gun sites.

Norton Anti-Virus 2004 is not the same as Norton Internet Security 2004.

[af_vet_rr]

You can set the filters yourself. Definitely doesn't make it right though.

[FormerlyAnotherLurker]

Do you mean 'Fred Langa'? Or is there some one else named Langa?
http://www.langalist.com/

[GladesGuru]

Oops! You are correct. 'Cuse me while I promise myself to always, always, always proofread before posting.

[Free Trapper]

I use AVG 6 Free and really like it.Was going to add Norton to use as a backup with it.

This is the first I've heard of a downside to Norton.What kinds of problems will Norton cause or do they use their money against the Second A.?

[Free Trapper]

The FR posted article "Drudge Site Ripe With Computer Slowing Software" has a number of free computer downloads ,credit Martin Fierro, linked at post #15.It's in my links if you can't find it elsewhere.

I use all of them together,except the Mailwasher that I haven't tried yet and am pleased with the results.

Martin,thanks for the info,I'm not the least bit computer savvy and the downloads are a boon.If someone could put together an easy to understand vanity with this type of downloads and other basic info for the less computer savvy of us,it might save many from problems.These sure helped me.

[martin_fierro]

FREE PC PROTECTION: (Not an exhaustive list. Your results may vary. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. No wagering, please. Whattayawantfernuthin'.) Alternative browsers: Mozilla Opera AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: Free anti-viral protection Popup ad killers: Bayden Systems Popup Popper: Blocks popup ads well in MSIE Shoot the Messenger: Close that friggin' Messenger in Windows XP Spyware removers: Spywareblaster - Prevents Spyware from being installed in the first place Spybot S&D AdAware MailWasher: Good for pre-screening & bouncing SPAM Windows Update: At least install the critical ones ZoneAlarm: Excellent Firewall Test your firewall from without with ShieldsUP! Test your firewall from within with LeakTest

[Free Trapper]

Thanks a million.I was trying to figure out what to use for computer safety and was more confused,the more I read.

By following your lead to a number of links,I was able to accomplish a lot very easily.

Now I have a few more to try out,thanks again.:)