What is the security system you are using on your computer ? The reason I'm asking, is that there is a glitch in the Norton Trial version that comes with computer systems. It blocks the proper install of software, and hardware drivers. If you've taken the action to download anti-spyware and adware programs, they may have not fully installed, and therfor aren't protecting you. Do a search on your system. If Norton's is there, chances are the 60 day trial period has expired. And if you have the full version, chances are it too was blocked by the trial version. Remove the trial version using the Norton Removal Tool from the Symantic web site. Fo rsome reason, the Windows program manager doesn't recognize the firewall as an associated file with the rest of the Norton package, and misses it. By removing the trial, it's been solving 95% of my cases at work. All of a sudden, peoples' updates and driver downloads come through, and hardware installations of printers, web cams, digital cameras, camcorders, and external hard drives go through as well. Hope this helps.