[etal]

So, a recent Windows update clashes with the ZoneAlarm firewall. Workaround: Uninstall the latest Windows Update patch via Add/Remove Programs.

This isn't particularly surprising; Windows Update frequently clashes with third-party software (there are a lot of Windows PCs in the world and a lot of Windows programs that muck with internals). At least there's an easy workaround. No need to panic.

It probably would have been better to just submit the timesonline.co.uk link and skip the drama / faint condescension.