Blocked Outgoing Outlook Email

[halston2003]

I have a friend who is relatively computer illiterate. On his desktop computer he has Comcast internet, XP, and Outlook 2002. A few weeks ago his wife noticed a popup message stating something to the effect that someone was attempting to use his email address. She was asked if the computer should block this attempt, which would block his use of outgoing emails. His wife clicked, and now they cannot send emails. I tried to help them over the phone, but while I am relatively good with hardware/software, I do not regularly use Outlook. I am not sure if the message was bogus or not. Has anyone had this problem? Thank you for any help.

[Comp Guy]

Do they have an antivirus program? Was the message from that program? If it's the antivirus program that is blocking it, then you need to go into the antivirus program and change the settings. If it is the antivirus, what program is it?

[halston2003]

Comp Guy:  He's using the McAfee suite provided with Comcast.  Initially I was thinking it was the McAfee popup blocker, but the antivirus could be the culprit.  Unfortunately his wife does not remember much.  I'll have more info Sunday when I get to his house.  Thank you for the reply.

[Comp Guy]

Did they get anything new on their computer?

[halston2003]

I don't believe so, but they have a high school fresman and a 7th grader.  I'm wondering about the possibility of internet downloads by the kids, who use the computer more than their parents.  I set my daughter up with her own computer so she would stop messing up mine, and that has worked like a charm.  I have to reformat her computer every 6 months or so, but my computer has not crashed.