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Symantec Blocks Pro-gun Sites
ma-firearms ^
| 11/3/03
Posted on 11/03/2003 7:17:59 AM PST by 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?""
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist
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To: ApesForEvolution
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?
To: pabianice
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...
22
posted on
11/03/2003 9:19:00 AM PST
by
Prime Choice
(I want to be immortal. Then I'll never have to vote Democrat.)
To: 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? Are you using their parental control web content filtering utility, or just their antivirus suite?
23
posted on
11/03/2003 9:20:06 AM PST
by
Prime Choice
(I want to be immortal. Then I'll never have to vote Democrat.)
To: pabianice
So does it ban the access of the US Army website?
24
posted on
11/03/2003 9:42:46 AM PST
by
yonif
("If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem, Let My Right Hand Wither" - Psalms 137:5)
To: Sledge
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...
25
posted on
11/03/2003 9:42:53 AM PST
by
RedWing9
(No tag here... Just want to stay vague...)
To: Squantos
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...
26
posted on
11/03/2003 9:52:24 AM PST
by
RedWing9
(No tag here... Just want to stay vague...)
To: oldironsides
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)
27
posted on
11/03/2003 9:54:43 AM PST
by
RJL
To: All
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.
28
posted on
11/03/2003 10:05:10 AM PST
by
Dazedcat
To: armyboy
I have Norton Anti Virus running and have been able to open every NRA, gun page I tried. Don't see any problem.
29
posted on
11/03/2003 10:10:39 AM PST
by
ImpBill
("America! ... Where are you now?")
To: RedWing9
Dunno.....I use zone alarm for a firewall. Stay Safe !
30
posted on
11/03/2003 10:12:07 AM PST
by
Squantos
("Ubi non accusator, ibi non judex.")
To: oldironsides
Same here NAV 2004, registered version and no problems going to www.nra.org and numerous hand gun sites.
31
posted on
11/03/2003 10:15:36 AM PST
by
ImpBill
("America! ... Where are you now?")
To: ImpBill
>>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.
To: ImpBill
>> 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.
To: BenLurkin
You can set the filters yourself. Definitely doesn't make it right though.
To: GladesGuru
To: FormerlyAnotherLurker
Oops! You are correct. 'Cuse me while I promise myself to always, always, always proofread before posting.
36
posted on
11/03/2003 4:24:46 PM PST
by
GladesGuru
(In a society predicated upon liberty, it is essential to examine principles - -)
To: GladesGuru; Travis McGee
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.?
37
posted on
11/03/2003 4:38:16 PM PST
by
Free Trapper
(Because we ate the green mammals first.)
To: All; martin_fierro; Travis McGee
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.
38
posted on
11/03/2003 5:53:36 PM PST
by
Free Trapper
(Because we ate the green mammals first.)
To: Free Trapper; Travis McGee
|
FREE PC PROTECTION: (Not an exhaustive list. Your results may vary. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. No wagering, please. Whattayawantfernuthin'.)
|
39
posted on
11/03/2003 7:13:18 PM PST
by
martin_fierro
(_____oooo_( ° ¿ ° )_oooo_____)
To: martin_fierro
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.:)
40
posted on
11/03/2003 8:05:50 PM PST
by
Free Trapper
(Because we ate the green mammals first.)
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