I have checked my services.msc list, which shows it as running, and there seems to be no problem looking at the System Properties > Automatic Updates tab. I checked Windows Update on Wednesday or Thursday this week, and, like you, found 5 Critical Updates, but I didn't think to check the dates they were issued. It's a shame it's not something which can be tested with some sort of 'dummy' update - is it?
Curiously, it's not listed in the Sygate Applications List, which indicates it hasn't even asked for permission, and I've had Sygate installed for several weeks now.