Can't open links.....

[smudge]

...It's never happened before, but since this morning, I can't seem to open any links on Answerbank. When I try to, it reads "A pop up window was blocked".

Any ideas on how to rectify it please?

[smudge]

I've just discovered that I can open up links if I right click & open - but I can't open it automatically with the usual right click?

I've checked Internet Explorer, then Tools, then Pop-Up Blocker Settings, but that seems to be on the right setting.

[smudge]

I meant: I can't open it automatically with the usual left click!

[LeMarchand]

Have you installed any new progs or updates and/or what setting is your blocker set to?

Most blockers allow you to override by holding down Ctrl and clicking as normal.

[smudge]

Thank you for answering LeMarchand.

Funny you should ask whether I've added any new programmes or updates - only I downloaded some 'free' screensavers today & it has only happened since then! I was wondering whether there was something untoward within them!

The blocker filter level is set to Medium: Blocks most auto pop-ups.

As I say, I now have to right click & open up links, but until this morning, I used to left click & the link opened up automatically - very odd!

[smudge]

All's well now thank you LeMarchand.

I've uninstalled a programme called Starware, which I'd used this morning to download free screensavers - lo & behold, I can now open up links on AB again without any problems!

I am usually very careful with what I download from the Internet & this screensaver programme seemed okay - but I won't be using them again for obvious reasons!

[LeMarchand]

I'd advise running Lavasoft AdAware and Spybot (both free downloads and should be easy to find via Google if you don't already have them). I seem to remember someone having Starware on a computer at the school where I work, and it was quite difficult to remove completely.Mind you, I could be getting confused - the person in question seemed to have clicked on every "download this free software" pop-up that had ever appeared on their PC!

If it's the program that I'm thinking of, it actually needed a root around in the registry to remove it completely - so hopefully I am confused! Post back here if it looks like the program is still affecting your system (if you've rebooted a couple of times and all is OK you should be OK).

[smudge]

Thank you LeM, I did have to have a good root around to find the Starware programme, as it didn't jump out at me on the directory - but once I did find it, I had no problems removing it. Thankfully, my PC is no longer affected.

I am currently using AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - would you think it's worth uninstalling that & using the ones you've recommended please?

[LeMarchand]

I've not used AVG, but have heard that it's good.

The 2 programs I mentioned aren't antivirus progs, but antispyware; they do not look for viruses, but other types of malicious code. An antivirus program is (unfortunately) an absolute must these days. However, antispyware is increasingly important too, as your net usage can be tracked or you may suffer from a bunch of "bad" pop-ups (or worse) if something installs on your computer (and it almost certainly will, even with light net usage).

I would recommend installing the 2 progs I mentioned as well as AVG and making sure that you update and run scans with them weekly. (AdAware will automate a lot of tasks with the paid-for version, while the "advanced" mode in Spybot allows a lot of automation). Spybot also tries to "immunize" your PC against spyware. You'll be amazed at the amount of rubbish that accumulates, even from what seems like innocuous sites.

Ther's a lot of similar programs - I suspect that there may be a few more recommendations when folk are back at work on Monday!

[smudge]

Thank you so much for your assistance LeM - since tuning in this morning, I've been able to open up links in the normal way, so I'm glad I deleted the Starware Screen-Saver programme!

I'm going to install both the Lavasoft Adware & Spybot & run them alongside AVG. I'll let you know how I get on later - thanks again.