Secunia at .com will give u a good free prgrmme that shows which is a Security Risk progrmme which one needs updating etc.
You will c after running a Scan that IE8 always comes up as Insecure.
Thru the advice read from here I do not run IE8 and use OPERA Browser instead.
I like the Speed Dial application.
I suggest u download http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindow... this for a very good System Optimizer etc.
I use myself Microsoft Security Essentials and Kaspersky.
Windows on my PC has a built in security system also.
u did not mention anything over your system.
Scan IE8 with kaspersky then choose another Browser and let IE8 run in the background.
CCleaner is also a recommended registry cleaner.
Can you update to IE8?
can fix IE & OE problems. The later versions are more secure too.
I would also recommend updating to at least IE7 both to fix problems and to be more secure. Also an infection could be the cause of your problems, update and scan your system. If IE7 is not to your liking, download anyway for security purposes and to allow further windows updating, and also download Mozilla Firefox and try using that instead. If these do not fix your Outlook program, try Mozilla Thunderbird for email, it feels much like Outlook for email, but is better and it can read your settings and copy your saved mail over for your during install.