Talk:K9 Web Protection

Can K9WebProtection protect from using proxies and web-proxies?
Galzigler (talk) 15:49, 2 July 2012 (UTC)

Weaknesses?
Why in the world is there a "Weaknesses" section? Does any other software have a "how to hack it" section? --173.67.124.8 (talk) 16:29, 2 May 2013 (UTC)

Strengths
User 37.11.26.57 (contribution of 2016-12-04T00:02:33‎) claims to have a "temporary workaround" for a bug … but he/she doesn’t write what it is! Spel-Punc-Gram (talk) 11:21, 13 December 2016 (UTC)

K9 Is No Longer Supported
Although the website still exists, and you can still sign up and download the software, K9 is dead. Key parts of the website no longer exist, which you'll find if you actually browse through it, but the biggest problem is that the database is not only no longer updated - it no longer exists. I know this is true because I downloaded and installed the software, and that is when I found out there is no database. It doesn't do anything without that! I don't have my password with me so I can't log on. I'm ReveurGAM. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1702:1610:5620:15E7:3CAE:6977:68DB (talk) 18:32, 6 April 2018 (UTC) ReveurGAM (talk) 17:37, 16 August 2018 (UTC)
 * This user made an incorrect statement. The database DOES still exist. The program is no longer receiving support, and the database may not be getting updated.  However, existing installations of the program are still functioning, which means that the basic operation of the online database continues.
 * If you wish to find a copy of the software (despite it's not being actively supported) you may wish to have a look at this repository on github.Pigkeeper (talk) 23:00, 3 November 2019 (UTC)
 * Apparently, you didn't read what follows below. K9 was discontinued and is no longer supported at all. Even the uninstall app is no longer available effective 10/31/19.ReveurGAM (talk) 02:55, 4 November 2019 (UTC)
 * I read all of what follows, and none of it contradicts anything that I said. K9 may not be supported, but it is still functioning. Both here and on bleepingcomputer.com, people responded to your mistaken claim that the database wasn't functioning by saying that the database was functioning.  I have K9 Web protection installed on two of my computers, and I can attest that the database still is currently functioning.  Furthermore, I checked, and the uninstall tool is still presently available here. The Symantec page says that the tool is available until 31 October 2019, but just like Brexit didn't happen on that day, the deadline has passed, and the tool is still there. If, in the future, the uninstall tool is removed from the Symantec website, it should be available on archive.org here, in case anyone needs it. Pigkeeper (talk) 14:52, 5 November 2019 (UTC)
 * Reread this announcement from Symantec, who bought K9 in '16: . The fact of the matter is that the K9 website no longer exists. If you try to go to it, you get redirected to the above Symantec page that states it's not supported. It doesn't matter that it still works for people, nor does it matter that people refuted my claim a year ago.
 * On Medium in May '19, user Nykolas Z reported that it's dead: K9 Web Protection is shutting down.
 * Baltimore Jewish Life, in April '19, reported the same thing: K9 Web Protection No Longer Available for Download, Will Stop Operating In June
 * In April 2019, K9 support reported to me that it is no longer in development.
 * No website, no support, no development = DEAD. Feel free to use it yourself, but keep in mind that the database isn't being updated even if you're still able to use it, so please don't promote it as a viable option to others. It's only a matter of time before they get rid of the database despite those, like you, who are slow to scuttle the abandoned, once great, product. I'd hate to see you or anyone else have problems because of this. ReveurGAM (talk) 21:14, 5 November 2019 (UTC)

Update: I just called the Bluecoat support line, 520--477-3400, which I got from Symantec support (I was informed that Blue Coat supports the program, not Symantec, despite Symantec buying it), but no one answered. I left a message. If I get a response from them about the absence of the databases and almost complete lack of protection by K9, I will update here and put a note on the front page of this article that it is defunct software. I put up a message weeks ago on Bleeping Computer asking for independent confirmation (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/679194/k-9-web-protection/#entry4553215), but no one was able to give me positive confirmation there.ReveurGAM (talk) 17:37, 16 August 2018 (UTC)

An email to them in February was never responded to. They didn't pick up the phone yesterday or respond to my voicemail. Symantec says it's supported by Blue Coat and seems unaware of the lack of support. Given that the cloud databases that provide the most important protection are missing, I added a statement about this.

Note: the sale to Symantec is noted in the news on the K9 website.ReveurGAM (talk) 00:20, 18 August 2018 (UTC)


 * K9 web protection data base works fine, so I deleted your edit. Also, the support people do answer you. I have been in email contact a few weeks ago due to multiple blue screen errors caused by the programme. The support person literally said to me in email that K9 will cause multiple blue screen SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED errors, because the programme is not compatible with the Windows Creator Update (version 1703 and above). He doesn't know what the state of the bug is in Development and if they are working on a patch. I don't know if they are, since the last update was from 2014. Anyway I have uninstalled the programme which I regret, because it was a good one aside from the Windows 10 incompatibility. But they don't update their outdated website with this information, which sucks. I would upload my email screenshot, but apparently you need an account. (From K9User7) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.134.63.23 (talk) 09:33, 28 August 2018 (UTC)


 * ReveurGAM can maybe add this information to the Wikipedia article. I don't know how exactly to do that. (K9User7) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.134.63.23 (talk) 09:38, 28 August 2018 (UTC)

Update: After over a year of no response to my emails and voicemail, I received a response from Blue Coat K9 Web Support. I find it remarkable that the previous commenter actually got help, when I have waited this long and only just got the following response. Unfortunately, it seems quite clear that K9 really is not a viable product anymore, between the lack of development, being told to use Norton, the fact that K9 isn't really usable based on my efforts to put it on my kids' PCs...and that it took 4 months for them to even respond. Please also notice the status they applied to my request for help is "No Reply Required". Please use the included link for definitive proof.

"K9 Case Update: #311578 - K9 blocking antivirus and others".

Blue Coat K9 Web Protection (k9.responses@gmail.com)‎

4:44 PM

Blue Coat K9 Web Protection Support Hello Glenn,

Unfortunately K9 is no longer in development, so any issues you might encounter will be unlikely to be solved. K9 has been replaced by Norton, which you can read more about here: https://support.symantec.com/en_US/K9WebProtection.html

Thank you for your time. Regards, K9 Web Support.

Case History

-Original Message- From: Garcia, Francisco Sent: 20-Apr-2019 Subject: K9 blocking antivirus and others

Hello Glenn,

Unfortunately K9 is no longer in development, so any issues you might encounter will be unlikely to be solved. K9 has been replaced by Norton, which you can read more about here: https://support.symantec.com/en_US/K9WebProtection.html

Thank you for your time. Regards, K9 Web Support.

-Original Message- From: K9 Customer Sent: 20-Dec-2018 Subject: K9 blocking antivirus and others

Again, K9 was blocking my antivirus websites, and I couldn't reconfigure it to stop blocking sites that shouldn't be blocked. This is the second computer I've tried K9 with and, given the total lack of response from support, it's  clear there's no point using it.

Information for K9 Support Case #311578

Date Created:

20-Dec-2018 10:49:00 PM MST

Case Status:

No Reply Required

Last Agent:

Francisco Garcia

K9 Web Protection from Blue Coat Systems http://www.k9webprotection.com

ReveurGAM (talk) 22:20, 20 April 2019 (UTC)