University internet blocking everything

[NetSquirrel]

Web browsing, downloads and MSN work fine, but I'm running into problems with the following:

Updating the definitions files of Ad-Aware, SpyBot S&D and SpywareBlaster; Windows Update;
Anti-virus updates;
(And worst of all) Battlefield 2 multiplayer.

I am quite ignorant on the subject, but I'm sure none of the above poses a security risk � perhaps the opposite regarding anti-virus and anti-spyware updates � so I assume it's ok if I ask whoever manages the campus internet connection to please "unblock" these programs. Assuming that they agree, what instructions would I need to give that would specifically allow the above programs to access the internet? At home, when a program was being blocked I could open up the router's control panel and enter in the "ports" it used in a little box, and then it would work. However, with Windows Update and the anti-virus/spyware programs, I never had this problem, so what should I ask to have changed that will enable these to work, or will the in-charge-of-internet person just know what I mean? Sorry about the lack of technical terms in my question - I wish I knew more about what I was talking about.

[fo3nix]

OK, firstly open each respective program up, and see if there are any connection settings available to change.

For example, in firefox I can choose a direct connection to the internet, or a proxy setting. If it's a proxy setting, you can either direct it to the instructions for getting onto the internet, or often auto-detect your network settings.

The uni campus will be using a proxy, so you need to change the options from direct connection to auto-detect a proxy connection.

If that still doesn't work, then give your computer support guys at the uni an email or pay them a visit. it may be that those programs in question are trying to use irregular port numbers that your uni is blocking to foil an hacking attempts.

[NetSquirrel]

Sorry, fo3nix, there are a few things I forgot to mention. To get Firefox and IE to connect, I did have to enter the proxy details, and I have to log in with a password when I start up the browsers. Ad-Aware, Spybot and SpywareBlaster all give the option of entering proxy details, but all that happened was:

Ad-Aware before entering proxy address port: "Connecting to Lavasoft server" then eventually "Error retriving update". After entering proxy address/port: starts update, freezes on 5%, then "Error retriving update".

SpywareBlaster before: "Cannot establish a connection to download. Please check your internet connection and try again". After: The server returned the following unexpected response: Response Code: 407"

Spybot Search and destroy actually does work, I just found. There was an option hidden in the settings that allowed me to enter the proxy address, port number and my user name and password (the other programs only wanted address and port).

I ran Windows Update about a week ago. It started downloading but then froze on 15% and hasn't made any progress. The yellow Windows Update icon occasionally flickers on the taskbar. As for BF2, that doesn't provide anywhere to enter proxy settings so I suppose they don't support it. I wasn't too hopeful of getting it to work, anyway.

[fo3nix]

OK, it definitely sounds like its a proxy problem or something then. See if you can find any of those options in the programs that don't work. If you still cant get it to work, ask the computer guys at your uni and see they are blocking the ports those programs are trying to use.