About Ryan Stewart Expertise I can answer questions, provide advice and assist with troubleshooting several areas of internet and network security including but not limited to: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 & 2008, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Linux operating systems; planning, design, implementation, management & testing in small business, home and home office environments; server and workstation hardware; in-house and remote system auditing; software-based offensive security (penetration and vulnerability testing); software-based defensive security (firewall configuration, encrypting & securing services with SSL, VPN, AV gateway, antivirus, access control, monitoring & intrusion detection); hardware-based security configuration & techniques; Certificate Authority and SSL certificates; wireless security (WEP, WPA, WPA2, 802.1X).
Experience I've been an independent IT consultant for 5 years serving small businesses and home users.
Education/Credentials CISM - Certified Information Security Manager |
CCNA Security - Cisco Certified Network Associate Security |
MCSA - Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Question QUESTION: Recently my hyperlinks in my emails stop working. An online experts suggested I held my "Ctfl" key down while clicking onto the link to see if perhaps pop-up-blockers were preventing my access. It worked but I still need to know how to disable the pop-up-blockers so I can access my hyperlinks or maybe this is not the problem and there is something else wrong.
ANSWER: Angel,
There's two possibilities here. (1) A pop-up blocker is preventing the hyperlinks from opening in a browser window. (2) A recently installed security update has disabled hyperlink functionality. In order to provide you with the correct solution, I need a little bit more information regarding the software you currently use. Here's what I need to know: Are you using web based email like Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail? Or are you using an email client like Outlook, Outlook Express or Eudora? If you are using web based email, which internet browser are you using (Internet Explorer, Firefox etc.)? Lastly, what operating system are you running (Windows XP, XP Pro, Vista etc.)?
-Ryan Stewart
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QUESTION: I am using web based email Yahoo, Gmail, Ymail, and AOL. The browser that I use is Internet Explorer. I also use Windows Vista for my Internet operating system. Thx
ANSWER: First, we'll start by disabling the integrated pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer: (1) Click the 'Tools' menu at the top of the browser window. (2) Click 'Pop-up Blocker'. (3) If the blocker is currently enabled, there will be an option to 'Turn off Pop-up Blocker'. (4) Confirm by clicking the 'Yes' button. Now we need to clear out the cache, history and cookies in Internet Explorer: (1) Click the 'Tools' menu. (2) Select 'Internet Options'. (3) Click on the "General" tab and under 'Browsing history' select 'Settings'. (4) Change the 'Disk space to use' value to 100MB. (5) Lastly, click the 'Delete...' button which is right next to the 'Settings' button we just used. (6) When the 'Delete Browsing History' box opens up, select all of the available options for deletion (Temporary Internet Files, Cookies, History, Form data, Passwords, InPrivate Filtering data). (7) Click 'Delete' (it may take a minute or two to delete everything).
Following the steps I listed above should resolve the hyperlink issues for all of your web-based email accounts. I recommend clearing out the Internet Explorer cache and history at least once a week as this will help keep your web browser running smoothly and conflict-free.
If this browser issue persists or you run into any other problems, don't hesitate to ask me for a solution. I'm always happy to help!
-Ryan Stewart
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QUESTION: Hi Ryan, I tried the steps you gave and they did not resolve the problem. I still have to hit Ctrl while clicking onto the link before I can access the link (which becomes available on new tab). Help }- :
Answer Angel,
We've still got a few more options for resolving the hyperlink issue. Try this one first: (1)open Notepad (click the Start button, All Programs, Accessories). (2)Once Notepad has opened up, paste this into it:
(3) Make sure you copy all of the above information, starting with the W in Windows. (4) Once you've copied the info into Notepad, save the file to your desktop and name it "urlfix" without the quotes. (5)Close Notepad and find the text file you just saved on your desktop then right click it and select "Rename". (6)Rename the file to "urlfix.reg" without the quotes and press enter. (7)You will be asked "If you change a filename extension... Are you sure you want to change it?", select "Yes". (8)Now double click the file you just renamed and a window will pop up and say "Are you sure you want to continue?", select "Yes". (9)Next, click on the Start menu and select "Run". (10)When the box pops up, type in "regsvr32 urlmon.dll" without the quotes then click "OK" or hit "Enter". (11)Click "OK" again in the RegSvr32 dialogue box. (12)Lastly, go to Start>Control Panel>Internet Options>Programs tab. Click on the button that says "Reset Web Settings" and click "OK". Restart your web browser if it doesn't do it automatically and the hyperlinks should now be working normally.
