Dell DataSafe Local Backup Runtime Error (cannot check for updates)

This evening, seemingly out of the blue, I got a pop-up C++ Runtime Error message on my XPS 14 (running Windows 7 Home Premium). 

The message is as follows:

"Runtime Error!

Program:...I Data Safe Local Backup\Components\DSUpdate\DSUpdate.exe. 

Abnormal program termination."

I am guessing the error was thrown when the program (Dell DataSafe Local Backup) tried to do an automatic update check, because if I open the program itself and manually navigate to the "Check for Updates" link, the same pop-up window with the same runtime error message appears. FYI, when I click the "okay" button on the runtime error pop-up after manually trying to start a check for updates, the program appears to make an attempt to look for software updates, with a "checking for updates" message appearing, but after it goes for a bit, an new pop-up box appears that says, "Unable to connect."

I have had the computer a little over two months, and this is the first I've seen this error. I did a Google search and also a search here on the Dell community site, and while I found a number of posts from 2009-2011 describing the exact same runtime error message, I didn't find any solutions.  The "unable to connect" message makes me wonder if there is an issue on the server (or wherever the program needs to go to try to find updates).

Anyone?