On Thu, September 5, 2013 23:17, Luke L wrote: > as root, I issue: > apt-get update > > I get errors such as: > Err http://security.debian.org squeeze/updates/main amd64 Packages > 503 Forwarding failure This error is most probably generated by some intermediate proxy between your system and security.debian.org. Are you perhaps using a proxy, for example something local like privoxy? Cheers, Thijs