Secure Sites Won't Load...i need help!

I'm not very computer smart, so i hope this is something simple. I noticed yesterday that i can't seem to view secure web pages. I was on the directv site and tried to sign in, but when i clicked the sign-in link, an error page came up saying something like the page couldn't be opened..or server couldn't be found. I thought it was just the directv page having problems. But later i was on cduniverse, and when i clicked to finalize my order...the same error page came up. I've tried both again today, and still no luck. Also today, i was trying to find what my problem was and i clicked on "help" and "about internet expolrer", and i can't open "about internet explorer". My computer freezes and i have to click ctrl alt delete, and end the task to get out. My computer seems to working fine in every other way....but i have noticed that my mouse has been freezing up lately. I don't know if it's a virus or what. I've ran spybot and adaware, and they found a few things and fixed them. But i'm still having trouble. I have Windows 98. I'd really appreciate any help. Thanks!