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Topic: Firewall conflict with NWC files (Read 3656 times) previous topic - next topic

Firewall conflict with NWC files

This post is not a complaint, rather it is just a "heads-up" to whomever it might concern.

I run Windows XP and operate behind a commercial software firewall from Zone Alarm.  I keep the Windows firewall disabled at all times.

While my firewall is operational--REGARDLESS OF THE SECURITY LEVEL WHETHER IT BE HIGH, MEDIUM or LOW--I am unable to download or view NWC files online.  Rather, I get a message with the heading "...You Are Not Authorized To View This  Page..."

I can disable (turn OFF) the firewall and access and/or download NWC files readily.  Turning the firewall OFF is the only change necessary.

I can access/view all NWC files readily that are stored on my own equipment whether the firewall is ON or Off.

Files with the extension .nwc are the only file types that I have been unable to access and/or download of which I am aware.

I have not tried receiving an NWC file as an Email attachment since upgrading my equipment, so I don't know if I can receive NWC files by email or not.

My anti-virus software has no problem with NWC and passes all NWC files readily.

I have worked on this problem extensively but I have been unable to resolve the conflict.

I keep my firewall up to date, do system-wide online and internal virus scans regularly, and update my anti-virus software daily.  Yes, this is a lot of trouble, but it is not nearly so much trouble as gettin' my machine wiped out...

Re: Firewall conflict with NWC files

Reply #1 –
I use McAfee's firewall, and I have no problem downloading NWC files.
I have used Zone Alarm briefly in the past, and IIRC, the free version is much more limited in its configurability than the professional version. Even so, you might find that you can change the configuration to allow individual web domains.

Robin Withey

Re: Firewall conflict with NWC files

Reply #2 –
I use the Zone Alarm Pro version, not the free version.

Nothing I have found works.  I have changed every setting, program permission, etc., that I can find,  Still, I cannot view or download NWC files if the ZA program is running, regardless of the setting(s).

This is not much of a problem for me because I rarely download NWC files and I can just turn ZA OFF when I want to do so.

I used McAfee for many years but found their update process to be cumbersome and their program operation awkward and troublesome to learn.  I also suffered several problems because of the failure of their firewall to work when it need to.  Perhaps they have improved since I stopped using them, and, perhaps, the problems I had with McAfee was caused by my own ignorance and incompetence.  Regardless...

Other than for this one glitch with NWC files, I have had no problems whatsoever with Zone Alarm and I have suffered no failures (that I know of).

Re: Firewall conflict with NWC files

Reply #3 –
Advice to everyone: If you are distributing *nwc files (or any file type that is not universal), either by web page download or e-mail attachment, it is a good idea to make a version available in *.zip format, too. That way, if there is ANY difficulty in obtaining the *.nwc file directly, the user can extract the *.nwc from the *.zip file.

Re: Firewall conflict with NWC files

Reply #4 –
Hmmmm. Haven't had that problem with the freeware version of Zone Alarm.

Zone Alarm's site seems to have a pretty good discussion forum, and also instant technical support. Have you tried that? (By the way, I ran across some discussions on how to access files on quarantined emails if that should be a problem).

Just as a curiosity, I wonder what would happen if you enabled Noteworthy as a permitted program under the Program control area?

Re: Firewall conflict with NWC files

Reply #5 –
Enabling something in the Program area just allows that program to access the net, it has nothing to do with up or down loading files.

I'm using ZA Pro, but on Win98SE, and I have no problem with .nwc files.
 

Re: Firewall conflict with NWC files

Reply #6 –
I didn't have that problem when I was using ZoneAlarm free.  It may have been caused by a recent change in the software, perhaps?  I switched to Sygate's free firewall after I had some problems with ZA though.