@brian_mk
You are using a down level avast! as it should be Build: Sept 2009 (4.8.1356)
Go to the avast! icon in the toolbar then right click then Updating then Program Update.
Or download the complete English (37.82 MB) package:
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html Have you updated XP to SP3 yet?
Windows XP Service Pack 3 has been available for over a year and provides many Critical Updates plus performance improvements.
You need to start Internet Explorer then go to Tools then Windows Update and download all of the available updates.
Also you should enable Automatic Updates or at least be notified that Updates are available.
Go to Control Panel then Automatic Updates then select
Automatic (recommended) or
at least Notify me but don't automatically download or install them.
Go to Secunia Online Software Inspector then run it to see what other applications are vulnerable:
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online
