This machine used to work fine. Recently I noticed that when I click on a link that normally would open a new window (leaving the original one and its history intact), instead of opening it in another window it seems to shut down the active window and open a new one, so I can’t even do a ‘back’ on my browser.
Any ideas where to go to fix this? I tried my windows properties, but can’t find anything that looks applicable.
Many thanks
Ok, first of all, I recommend you not to use Internet Explorer, they’re other browsers available, wich are a lot safer. Internet Explorer and Outlook (all versions) are the two biggest “front doors” for viruses in the Internet (third comes MSN Messenger, but that’s another story). You can try using Firefox (http://www.getfirefox.com) or Opera (http://www.opera.com), those are the two best browsers available today. Both of them are completely FREE.
Now, your problem sounds like adware, you can try using AdAware, which is a software that cleans your computer from adware (wich in practise is some kind of virus, or “legal virus”), you can download AdAware from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
After installing it, it will scan your computer and present you with a list of all the adware and/or spyware he’s found, and you can select the ones you want to remove (usually all of them).
Good luck!!
BTW: If you use Outlook too, a great alternative is Mozilla Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird/)