Nis

[Fast_johnny]

I recently enabled the option under Norton Internet Security, Options, Firewall to stealth blocked ports. This caused firewall issues with Limewire. Since, i havent seen anything mentioned about this before, I figured it was worth mentioning.

So make sure this is not checked.


Currently, i have port 6346 open on my router, full access to LW, and NIS monitoring port 6346. Which seems to work well.

[fabion]

Hmmmm interesting I have my NIS Firewall configured to stealth blocked ports. LimeWire is running right now connection is - UP 31P 30L. The Firewall is also configured to allow port 6346 full access.

What operating system, java version. LimeWire version are you using?

[Fast_johnny]

Windows XP SP2, LW is the new beta, java is 1.4.2_7

[fabion]

Hmmm not sure I'm running LW Pro 4.4.4 JRE 1.5.0_01

Maybe one of the other members may have some insight into this.

The only thing that I can see that is different is the JRE versions. That and I don't see what version XP your running.

[ukbobboy01]

Dear Fast_johnny (& fabion)

I too run Norton Personal Firewall (2003) with "Stealth Block Ports" ticked, as well as all available sliders set to maximum.

My system runs XP SP1, LW Pro 4.4.4, Java V1.5 and I can certainly say that it runs very well without any problems.

Not only that, I consider stealthing your ports is essential to stop bots, hackers and worms crawling into your PC when you are online, switching this facility off leaves you open to attack.

I note that you are running XP SP2, have you got the XP firewall turned on? The windows firewall could be clashing with Norton's.

Although I have not installed SP2 yet, I don't need it's added security features, I understand that it can cause more problems than it solves. You may be better off either uninstalling or disabling some of it's features.

Either way, good luck.



UK Bob

[fabion]

Greetings ukbobboy01,

Very good point I failed to provide. I have my sp2 firewall disabled.

[Fast_johnny]

yes mine is disabled as well. I will try enabling "stealth blocked ports" again to see if I get the same results.

[Fast_johnny]

Enabling that option caused no one to be able to download from me, Direct Connect, to say I am behind a firewall, and I connected as a leaf and not an ultrapeer.

I forgot to mention in the previous post that I do not have the Windows Firewall Enabled.

[ukbobboy01]

Greetings and Salutations Guys

Fast_johnny

In your first post, you said you had NIS monitoring port 6346, have you written a specific rule to allow any computer to access that port?

Or better still, have you recently done a scan for internet enabled applications? Once you have gone through this process you can get NIS to virtually write the firewall rules for you, simply go through the application NIS fines and say whether they should have full, partial (access with your permission) or no access to the internet.

I have also found that if I disable “Block Fragmented Packets” (it's enabled by default) and “Stealth all Blocked Ports” I have absolutely no problems.

Finally (daft question time), you say you have a router, and I know very little about routers, so is it possible that “Stealth all Blocked Ports” in NIS is reacting against the router rather than LW?

Hope this helps.



Fabion

As someone who has installed SP2, can you say if there any advantages to having it. Bearing in mind that I am a security conscious person who already has an armada of security software and I am (almost) paranoid about PC stability.

In other words, why bother with SP2?



UK Bob

[fabion]

Greetings ukbobboy01,

As far as the security features in sp2. No I do not see any real advantage, as to my computer setup. I have NIS configured to handle that aspect.

I believe this was M$'s answer to large corporations wanting an integrated protection program for ethernet users, or the home user who could not afford the additional cost of an independant security program for the internet.

There may be other issues sp2 addressed, but most of the software developers vocabulary goes right over my head.

I also run ad-aware, Spybot, and Spyblaster, to handle other issues NIS doesn't specificaly address to keep my machine healthy from outside sources.

Being somewhat security minded myself. I don't believe letting a single program handle everything.

But it is also my belief that if a serious and dedicated hacker wanted access, they will find a way in. It wouldn't matter what amount of security software I had. I just make it as difficult as possible, an it keeps the wannabes out.