The Sun puts out a huge stream of radiation. The Earth has escaped this fate because its magnetic field diverts most of the solar wind around the planet, although it is by no means a perfect shield. The solar wind rises and falls in strength along with the 11-year sunspot cycle. The blobs that reach Earth can significantly disrupt the Earth's magnetic environment. The next solar maximum is expected in 2000-2001.
Charged particles can disrupt computer memories.
As well, extra solar energy can heat the Earth's atmosphere more than usual, expanding it, and causing extra drag on satellites, pulling them into a lower orbit. This can cause vulnerable components, such as transformers, to fail. If it is disrupted by 'space weather', it distorts the reflected signal. In Australia, the Ionospheric Prediction Service forecasts space weather, models its effects on radio propagation, and offers various services to those who may be affected. The article gives URLs of other space weather pages.