I have a vpn connection for work but when i'm browsing normally (not on vpn), the vpn connection window pops up quite frequently and the connection freezes until i cancel the window. Checked with Mcafee AV and spybot/adaware and seems clean. ZA firewall. How can i stop this?

It'd help to know the VPN software you were using, but right click "My Network Places" and click on properties and you will see icons for your network adapters. One might be a virtual VPN adapter. Right click and select "Disable" and see if this solves your problems. You'll probably have to go back and "enable" it when you need it.

Hi there, thanks for reply. The VPN connection was set up through the "new connections wizard" under network connections : i just typed in the vpn address and my user/pw. There's no disable option under the properties for this connection.

My only other guess would be, go to Control Panel and click on Internet Options. Click on Connections. The connections listed here are what the computer will try to automatically use if there is an interuption in regular network connections, but I've found in reality it often tries to use these connections even when everything is ok. See if the VPN connection is listed here. If it is, either remove it, or try checking the option "Never dial a connection."

Fantastic! That did the trick. There were a couple of websites that always produced this problem but i set the option as described and it's disappeared. Thank you!

Great to hear!