Cannot get links fromemails to work

[Alana_]

Good afternoon everyone.

 

I am new here but have been a member of\Community feedback for years and when I went to go there it had gone !!!!!!!!!!   so I have joined here but not sure where to post this question,,,apologies if I am in the wrong place.

I did pay to be the group to become a member...not sure what has happened..   IO presume I have to pay again to post certain things...will you please point me in the right direction.

 

I have just purchased Malawarbytes PRO and done a ful scan...all seems ok.

 

The help I neeed at the moment is that I cannot get links to open up from my emails... it only started yesterday and I do not know why...can you please advise ??  .... I have a lot of links for extra points at a very expensive shop in England, but it is not allowing me to get them through the usual links.

 

Many thanks and I hope to get to know people here soon.

 

Are there members of Community Feedback here ??  Judy ??

 

Kindest regards

 

Alana

[daledoc1]

Hello and welcome, Alana_:
 
A couple of things:
First, there is no cost to join the forum here.  Anyone can join the forum & post here -- one need not have a paid license for MBAM PRO.
 
As for your immediate issue (inability to open links in emails?), I'm not sure it has anything to do with MBAM?
So, a mod might move this post to another section of the forum.

 

>>>In the interim though, it would help to know what email client and what browser and what version of Windows (XP/Vista/7/8/8.1) you use?
In general, though, when one clicks a link in an email, Windows puts a call to your default browser.
For example, I use Thunderbird for my email client and Firefox for my default browser.
If I were to click on a link in an email in Thunderbird, it would open the link in Firefox.
>>>>So, you might need to check your default program settings in the Windows control panel.
 
>>>Having said all that, opening links in emails is a VERY easy way to get your computer infected.
With all sorts of spear-phishing, spoof and other malicious methods out there now, even emails that seem to be from known contacts can, in fact, be from the "bad guys".
So, it's very important to have tight spam-filtering controls on one's email, a robust anti-virus, a robust anti-malware (such as MBAM) and AN ABUNDANCE OF EXTREME CAUTION when clicking on ANY link in ANY email from ANY sender.
 
>>>Since you mention that you have scanned your system for malware, is it safe to assume that you think you might already be infected?
If so, then I would suggest that you please follow the recommendations in this pinned topic: Available Assistance For Possibly Infected Computers.
A malware expert will guide you through scanning your system, and with any needed malware removal.

Thanks,

daledoc1

[Durew]

Hi Alana,

 

Sorry to hear your old support forum is gone. I hope you'll like it here.

A quick show around:

If you think or suspect you're computer is infected with malware:

 

For those who didn't know. A little research lead me here. I believe Alana was a member there but she found out "community feedback" was no longer operating. The page redirects to this forum for malware issues. (More specificly the malware removal subforum.)

[Alana_]

Oh  Dale (is that your name ?)

 

Thank you so much for replying, and my apologies for all ther spelling errors...(I was getting in a right 'ol tiz) lol

 

I have Windows XP and IE8 ...I have offers sent to me from several stores and they come in the form of a coupon to be printed off and shown instore for points and money vouchers... I have always been able to just click on the link and I went straight there, but now I cant'... I have Outlook Express as my email client.....I am very careful when I click links, I only click on them if I know them.

 

The strange thing is, I fowarded one email with the vouchers on to my hotmail address and the link worked from there, so maybe something has happened with Outlook express...trouble is I get all worried if I change things.

 

I have Avast Anti Virus & firewall that I paid for and  now have Malawarebytes also Superantispayware that I paid for too...and I do scan every single day.

 

I did have a trojan, but it was caught and quarantined...I have no idea how it got there, I only go to really trusted sites, like Ebay and my local beauty stores..

 

Oh it's good to know I do not have to pay here, I did pay money at Community Feedback..could not believe it when I saw it was all closed.. thank goodness you are here.

 

Thank you so much for the link re the infection, and I do hope I will find my way around

 

Kindest wishes

 

Alana

[daledoc1]

Hi:
 
Well, if you have/recently had a trojan, I would suggest first that you please follow the advice here: Available Assistance For Possibly Infected Computers.
One of the malware experts will assist you for free with checking to be sure all malware remnants have been removed.
 
Then, once you are given the "all clear" by your malware helper, if needed, you can head over to the PC Help section of the forum for help with your OE & IE.

I haven't used XP for many years, so I'm not sure, but it might be just the case that you need to set your IE8 as your default browser.

But the malware issues should be addressed first.

(FWIW Outlook Express has been dead for quite a while, and replaced by Windows Mail. And XP will be officially dead in a few months... So, at some point, you'll probably need to consider upgrading your version of Windows and/or getting a new computer, if your old one's hardware is not robust enough to run Win7 or Win8.)

 

HTH,

 

daledoc1

[Alana_]

Hi Daledoc1.

 

I have a fairly new computer, well a year old, that my neighbour made up.. ( they have now left the country)  it has a terrabite (931gb freespace) and I know XP is an old one, but can I just load a window 7 or 8 ??

 

I  do have IE 8 as my default browser.

 

I will go to the Malaware section now..

 

again, thanks so so much for your help and advise, also the links to get there.

 

((Hugs))

 

Alana

[daledoc1]

Hi Daledoc1.

 

I have a fairly new computer, well a year old, that my neighbour made up.. ( they have now left the country)  it has a terrabite (931gb freespace) and I know XP is an old one, but can I just load a window 7 or 8 ??

There is a compatibility checker that can help to determine if your hardware & system will support Win 7 or 8.1.

There is a process for upgrading from XP to the newer OS, but in general it will be advisable to reformat the HDD and then cleanly install the new version of the OS.

But you'll want to get your current malware situation resolved first.

 

I  do have IE 8 as my default browser.

Well, something might still be off in your control panel settings.

 

I will go to the Malaware section now..

 

again, thanks so so much for your help and advise, also the links to get there.

You are most welcome.

 

Good luck!

 

daledoc1

[TonyKlein]

Have a look here:

 

How to Make Links Work in Outlook Express, Outlook and Any Other Email Programl

[daledoc1]

Thanks, TonyKlein!

[TonyKlein]

You're very welcome.  It's a very common issue, usually indeed fixed by setting your default browser, but the article may just have a few more tips. 

[Alana_]

Oh, thanks so much TonyKlein, it worked ...YEAH !!!!!    ♥

 

Sorry, I was not able to get back sooner and cannot stay as my daughter has cancer and I have to be with her, but I will be back tomorrow, Tony & Dale. to sort this Malaware out...your so so kind to help me and I was able to get here straight away with the link from my email.

 

Time here in the U.K. is 7.02pm

 

Without the link I would never have found my way back...

 

Thank you both so so much.

 

Big hugs

 

Alana xx

[daledoc1]

Hi:
 
Yes, I was pretty sure something needed fixing in your "default program" settings.
Glad you got it sorted with help from TonyKlein's link.
 
As for following your topics...
First, be sure you have your forum notification settings correct.
Check in the upper right corner of your forum topic for this:


It's a bit counter-intuitive, but it's just a "toggle".
So, when the button says "Unfollow this topic", it means that you ARE following it.
 
Or, you can bookmark ("add to favorites" in IE) your forum topic page, or this link:
https://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=137479
 
If all else fails, you can always log in here to the forum and then go into your profile to view your content, as shown here:


First, click the little down arrow next to your username.
Then, click "My Content".

(You can also check in your profile to be sure you are set to receive IMMEDIATE email notifications of a reply to all of your posts.)
 
HTH,
 
daledoc1