Just to add... As someone else tried (from the forum), remove port 80 from Webshield configuration, Internet access OK but 'last scanned' doesn't change. Add port 80, 'last scanned' changes 'infected' does not and still no access. Email works perfectly through Outlook and Outlook Express, although I do realise that the resident provider for email is different. Oh, by the way, the Avast updates downloaded fine with Webshield enabled or disabled, and email pictures also come through fine. Ran a full/throrough system scan after updates and it found absolutely nothing. Ran Registry Mechanic also, found several errors which were cleaned (program shortcuts invalid mostly). Re-tried, still no joy. Would it help if I attached an HTML file from Belarc Adviser profiling my machine for your information?