I have dial-up internet (no other options in my area), and when trying to install adobe flash and other apps, I get a message stating that "cannot connect to smart screen", and the installation is prevented. Is their a way around this? Why is this necessary? I resent microsoft monitoring my software choices and regard it as an invasion of privacy.

This is a beta OS for testing purposes only. MS is providing it for free so people can test it with various pieces of software. Because of this they do have the right to monitor the software people add to see what works and what does not work on this beta OS. You do not have to use this beta OS if this limit bothers you.