Can norton only update from EXPLORER?

since i installed this internet security 2009 a few days ago it hasnt once successfully updated and has a constant red x over the tray icon.

i dont have internet explorer installed but i have firefox and google chrome browsers,IE i had to uninstall due to the rapidantivirus... 

 

however since i can obviously go online i cant understand why norton fails to connect to the updates/

what am i doing wrong here? 

(feel free to insult as long as you can offer a solution ;-)))