Many programs have a setting for them to Phone Home for information and updates. Open settings on such program, and choose Manual Updating.

Web pages download Lots of stuff. Most from their own site. But also information from other sites.

Please provide examples of what you think is not of your doing.

Hello,

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Thank you!

Thanks for your quick reply. I cleared my download history at my husband's suggestion and the problem hasn't occurred again. I'm thinking that failed downloads kept retrying. Does that make sense?

Some malware controlled sites are known to send unasked for downloads. That is why anti-virus and firewalls are around. You should also scan your computer now and then with the anti-virus and malware scanners.

Troubleshoot Firefox Issues Caused By Malware {web link}

http://www.clamxav.com/ free malware scanner for Mac OS X https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3291

If you have further troubles it would help to know exactly what is shown as being downloaded. As a first check you could try disabling your Office Live Update v1.3.