Broken links?

[laylah]

Being technically challenged, I cannot figure out why I cannot access outside links, be they at Buzzflash, here, in my e-mails, etc. Would someone with this kind of knowledge PLEASE give me some ideas as to what may be happening and what I need to do to correct it?

Thanks in advance,
Jenn

[displacedtexan]

1. interesting...

i have been having the same problem for almost a month now. i have to click several times to get from my homepage to a site or through a link. sometimes, back doors work (like buzzfalsh.com's links at the bottom of the page), but not always.
this only seems to affect left-leaning sites; of course, i suspect a conspiracy.

[laylah]

2. Was that a "tongue-in-cheek"

response? I can't tell :silly: That said, I am not able to connect to links sent me via e-mail either. I am wondering if the problem is at my end and if so, what do I need to do to correct it? Hopefully someone will give me the courtesy of an answer!

And, obtw, thank you.
Jenn

[Kellanved]

3. Let's see

What browser do you use? Do you have any security tools (i.e. Firewall, Popup-blocker) installed? When did the problem come up for the first time ? What were you doing then?

[laylah]

4. Explorer

is my browser, I use Alexa pop-up blocker, Norton and Symantec security tools. This problem started yesterday morning when I first logged on at about 4:00 a.m. cst. I go to my e-mail, Buzzflash, and the DU, in that order, every morning. I didn't think anything about the problem while checking my mail. It wasn't until I was at Buzzflash and couldn't get into any of the stories and THEN when I got here, I couldn't follow any links provided in posts.

THANK YOU for responding! :hi:
Jenn

[Kellanved]

5. Hmmm

Try to get rid of Alexa first - it phones home and would be my best guess on what's causing the problem.


If that doesn't fix it: disable the firewall etc.; after that: use another browser.

[laylah]

6. Ok......now you have lost me...

I have had Alexa for about 3 months, would it just now start causing problems? As for disabling the firewall...how would I do that and why? Another browser? Such as? As I have said, I am totally technically challenged

Thanks again.....
Jenn

[Kellanved]

7. OK

Alexa has an auto-update "feature", you might have gotten a new version without knowing.

Issues like the one you are describing tend to be "esoteric"; they surface without apparent cause (especially so under Windows) and can be difficult to fix. Any piece of software between you and the page you are viewing can be the cause of your problems (up to your provider); you can isolate the problem by disabling one after another.

As for your question for another browser: Mozilla, it's free and has several advantages over IE (security wise). www.mozilla.org

[laylah]

8. Will try your suggestions

and check back in. I truly appreciate the courtesy you have extended by replying and helping me. :hug:

jenn

[laylah]

9. YOU ROCK!

I uninstalled Alexa and voila! May I buy you a beer.....or 10? :toast: Thank you so very much for your help!

jenn

[Chuckup]

10. Scumware also blocks URL's

Some scumware programs also block URL's from loading. Kazaa has scumware embedded that will block several hundred URL from opening. Even if you uninstall the program, the scumware remains.

I suggest searching google for a program the detects scumware on your computer, and follow the instructions for removing it.

[laylah]

11. Thanks!

Again, being completely and totally technically impaired I have no idea what I would be looking for. Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Jenn

[Kellanved]

12. My Pleasure

Spybot S&D http://www.safer-networking.org/
and Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
are good tools.

[laylah]

13. thanks again

Kellanved......I will check those sites out. Have a great week-end :bounce:

Jenn