Internet security products help prevent malicious web sites from causing damage to your computer. However, their default settings block many legitimate web sites that use what's called "referral" URLs. These are web sites that pass information (such as a password or barcode) from one site to another.
Even if your password is accepted at the first site (e.g. Mansfield University), the security software blocks this information from reaching the final destination (e.g. eCollege, Blackboard or WebSPIRS). If you submit a password but get either an error or a blank page, you will need to change the following settings to permit access to the referred web site.
1. |
Open Norton Internet Security (NIS) or Norton Personal Firewall (NPF) |
2. |
Click Options |
3. |
Click Internet Security or Personal Firewall (if your version requires it) |
4. |
Click Advanced Options |
5. |
Click the Web Content (Figure 1) or Web tab – your screen choice depends on version |
6. |
Click Add Site |
7. |
When the New site/domain box appears enter the URL (without http://) for the site you want to access (e.g. www.keystone-university.net), then click OK (see Figure 2) |
8a. |
For Norton Internet Security 2003 only, click the name of the new site in the Advanced Options window (see Figure 2), and uncheck the options for Use default settings in the sections, Information about your browser and Information about visited sites |
8b. |
For Norton Internet Security Family Edition only, click the Privacy tab and uncheck the option Use these rules for...< name of site> (see Figure 3) |
10. |
Highlight the new site in the list and change the Referrer option from Block to Permit |
11. |
Click OK to close the Options window |
Below are some of the most common web sites and library databases that you might need to register in your security or firewall software:
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For additional assistance with browser problems, see our general announcement on troubleshooting common technical problems, or contact the library's Information Desk.
