Technology Tutorial

Scenario:
While completing a Web-based form, the server returns a "referrer" error that prevents the transaction from completing successfully.

Cause:
Symantec's Norton Internet Security is a software firewall program. The purpose of a firewall is to block certain types of traffic in order to protect a computer or network. Norton Internet Security 2002 may erroneously block certain data required to prevent misuse of Web Forms. The issue occurs if Norton Internet Security 2002 is configured with the "Enable Privacy" option enabled and set to the default level.

Solution:
Reconfigure Norton Internet Security 2002 using the steps listed below. This change not only corrects the problem, but also strengthens the Firewall model without compromising system security:

1. Start the NIS client.
2. Scroll down to Privacy Control
3. Verify that Enable Privacy check box is ticked
4. Click on Custom Level. A new dialog will open.
5. Set Confidential Information to "Medium: Prompt me each time".
6. Set Cookie Blocking to "None: Allow Cookies (recommended)".
7. Remove the tick from the Enable Browser Privacy check box to disable the option (this is the setting causing the problem).
8. Make sure that the Enable Secure Connections (HTTPS) check box is ticked.

This solution may also work with versions of Symantec Norton Internet Security released after 2002.