Problem with Outlook Express

I wonder if someone could help me. When I check my messages in Outlook Express some of them will say ie "click here for coupon" or "click on this address to access our site". When I click on these my computer is blocked from going there. I don't know what to do.

 

For security reasons, it sounds like it is probably a good thing for you! It is most unwise to be clicking on links in emails if you are not 100% confident that they are trustworthy. It is possible that the situation you describe could be attributed to a well configured and secure (safe) computer.

> When I click on these my computer is blocked from going there.
If your browser opens and presents a message such as "404 error" or "cannot open page" then the above is likely to be the case, assuming you have an internet connection. The sites are probably being blocked by the HOSTS file. If however, there is simply no reaction at all to you clicking on a link, then you should keep reading.

If that problem exists for a legitimate link, the reason is probably (and I have to guess, because you have supplied minimal information for a helper to work with) ... that Outlook Express is not configured as the default email client.

Again, I have to guess, and will assume you are working with Windows XP. In that case it is likely you will see in the Start Menu (and if not there, hopefully in Control Panel) a shortcut called "Program Access and Defaults". Click on that. In the window that opens, you will see 3 items listed and one of these will be selected (Microsoft Windows, Non-Microsoft, Custom). On the right-hand-side you will see some arrows, and clicking on these will open/hide the list of options for each of these three items.

***IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE VERY CAUTIOUS AND DO NOT MAKE ANY UNNECESSARY ALTERATIONS HERE OR YOU WILL FIND OTHER THINGS NOT WORKING ...

Which ever item is selected is the one you are currently using (and I will use "Custom" as an example). It is necessary to examine the options selected. To ensure that Outlook Express is used as your default system email client, you should ensure that under "Choose my default e-mail program:", either "Use my current e-mail program" or "Outlook Express" is selected, and that the small box "Enable access to this program" is ticked. Oh, yes, and don't neglect to use the slider on the right-hand-side to scroll up and down to see the whole list of options available.

Then click "OK", and you should be right to click on links in emails and have them work as designed. I urge you to use common sense and be very cautious in this matter if you do not want your computer to end up riddled with malware.
(Malware = malicious software)

Good luck,
Geoffrey

 

:cryThank you for your reply. I'm sorry I didn't include more info but you rightly guessed the correct software. I tried what you suggested and it still does not work. I'm trying to access sites that I specifically subscribe to so not being able to access a coupon or automatically go to the area where I need to go is frustrating. If you have any other ideas I'm open to try almost anything.

Kathy

 

C'mon Kathy, try and help out a little bit here!

> When I click on these my computer is blocked from going there.
If your browser opens and presents a message such as "404 error" or "cannot open page" ...., there is simply no reaction at all to you clicking on a link

So, what actually does happen when you click on a link? What do you mean by "blocked from going there".

You say you tried what I suggested. What did you actually see? Which option are you using? What were the settings? Did you change anything?

Do you use/have another browser, such as Firefox, or is Internet Explorer your default/only browser?

> If you have any other ideas
Supply me with information about the exact situation .... you must do this before anyone can have any idea what is actually going on in front of you.

Frustrated.