socket error 10061 connection refused

[aimee]

what does this mean, how do I fix it? Can't scan or load updates. Need to load detection updates, and can't.

[md usa spybot fan]

Socket Errors are documented here:
Windows Sockets Error Codes (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms740668.aspx)
Socket Error # 10061 indicates:
WSAECONNREFUSED
10061
Connection refused.
No connection could be made because the target computer actively refused it. This usually results from trying to connect to a service that is inactive on the foreign host—that is, one with no server application running.
The primary causes of Socket Errors during the Spybot update are firewalls and proxy servers.

Do you have a firewall? If you have a firewall:
You must authorize SpybotSD.exe to access the internet through your firewall. If you have a firewall and are not sure if that is the cause of the problem, you could (for a short period) disable the firewall and see if the updates work properly.
Are you sitting behind a proxy server? If you are sitting behind a proxy server:
Go into Spybot > Mode > Advanced mode > Settings > Settings. About 2/3 of the way down the option tree there is a category "Web update". Check the last item in the list "Use proxy to connect to update server". A pop-up will come up were you can enter the information required.

If you are sitting behind a proxy server and need to know what the settings should be, there are hints in the following article on how to find them:
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
The integrated update is not working. Are there any solutions for this?
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/faq/10.html