C:\Windows\System32\protector.exe

[metrognome7]

Good evening. I've just been handed a laptop from work, previously used by an employee who's now left us, and Norton is popping up about every 10 seconds with a "High Risk" warning regarding a program called "protector.exe" and it's attempts to connect to the internet. Furthermore, I cannot connect to the internet via any means but IE - Firefox, AIM, etc are all acting as if there's no active connection. I have attempted to DL Spybot S&D, but the moment I try to connect to the server it gets stuck.

I can't find this program anywhere in the active processes, nor can I find it in any folder. My computer savvy extends to running msconfig.exe and other such things, but I am by no means a techie.

PLEASE HELP! Thanks.

INFO:
Windows XP
Toshiba Satellite laptop