Hyperlink problem

[Tony UK]

In the last few days, when I have clicked on certain links, a Window opens
headed "File Download Security Warning".

It says underneath: "Do you want to save this file or find a program online
to open it?" The name of the file is stated, and is said to be of the type
"Unknown Filetype".

Below that there are buttons offering "Find", "Save" and not surprisingly
"Cancel". If you click on "Find" a Window opens headed "Windows File
Association" This says the file is "MIME Type: Application/x-gzip-compressed."

None of this is normal, so I used System Restore to go back three days. This
seems to have cured most of the errant links, but not all. The problem
remains. When you click on a link, you should go to that link, right?

I am in need of help if anyone has a simple way of explaining how to cure
this glitch.

 

[The poster formerly known as 'The Poster Formerly]

In the last few days, when I have clicked on certain links, a Window opens
headed "File Download Security Warning".

It says underneath: "Do you want to save this file or find a program online
to open it?" The name of the file is stated, and is said to be of the type
"Unknown Filetype".

Below that there are buttons offering "Find", "Save" and not surprisingly
"Cancel". If you click on "Find" a Window opens headed "Windows File
Association" This says the file is "MIME Type: Application/x-gzip-compressed."

None of this is normal, so I used System Restore to go back three days. This
seems to have cured most of the errant links, but not all. The problem
remains. When you click on a link, you should go to that link, right?

I am in need of help if anyone has a simple way of explaining how to cure
this glitch.

What browser are you experiencing this problem in?

--
"Software is like sex, it's better when it's free."
- Linus Torvalds

DRM and unintended consequences:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/security/?p=435&tag=nl.e101

 

[Tony UK]

I am using IE 8. I do believe that this is causing the problem. I have
uninstalled IE 8 previously and the problem disappears. But I would like to
continue with IE 8, which is now once more installed. So can you tell me how
I can change its settings to avoid this problem? If you can answer, PLEASE
give me simple directions, because I am not gifted in this area.

Oh, and thanks for your fast response to my question!

 

[+Bob+]

I am using IE 8. I do believe that this is causing the problem. I have
uninstalled IE 8 previously and the problem disappears. But I would like to
continue with IE 8, which is now once more installed. So can you tell me how
I can change its settings to avoid this problem? If you can answer, PLEASE
give me simple directions, because I am not gifted in this area.

Oh, and thanks for your fast response to my question!

Post a sample link that does this.

 

[Tony UK]

Here's a prime sample:

"Static Outlook Backup - Backup email store and settings from Microsoft"

I'm sorry I can't show it as a complete link. That's all that shows. But if
you Google "static outlook backup" and go to the site www.static.com, there
is an immediate problem.

Any iddeas?

 

[Jon]

Here's a prime sample:

"Static Outlook Backup - Backup email store and settings from Microsoft"

I'm sorry I can't show it as a complete link. That's all that shows. But
if
you Google "static outlook backup" and go to the site www.static.com,
there
is an immediate problem.

Any iddeas?

Try this link

Static Outlook Backup
http://www.staticbackup.com/outlook-backup/

You could try toggling off the 'Phishing filter' to see if it makes a
difference.

(In IE7 it's Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > 'Security'
ction )

 

[Tony UK]

Well, dash me, that worked. What is different about your link from the ones I
have been trying?

 

[Jon]

Well, dash me, that worked. What is different about your link from the
ones I
have been trying?

None in theory, other than that I knew it to be a 'clean direct link'. It's
possible that something could be affecting the formation of links in the
results of your Google searches + other pages.

Malware could do that (so perhaps run a virus scan), as could an
over-zealous program add-on [can disable these (in IE7) via Tools > Internet
options > Programs > Manage add-ons], or, as suggested previoiusly, the
'Phishing Filter' may not be working correctly. So it may be worth exploring
those 3 options.

 

[Tony UK]

Jon

Thank you for your speedy response and your courtesy in helping me work on
this. I found after getting through on your link that the other link
(www.static.com) was now working. It hadn't before I posted. I had already
disabled add-ons. One link, which was in Wikipedia, failed to work and then
later did work. Very mysterious and not Google related, of course.

I use Norton Internet Security 2009 and that has not shown anything up yet.
I'm not quite sure where the Phishing Filter if in IE8, but I'll find it, I
hope. Thank you for your help.

Well, dash me, that worked. What is different about your link from the
ones I
have been trying?

None in theory, other than that I knew it to be a 'clean direct link'. It's
possible that something could be affecting the formation of links in the
results of your Google searches + other pages.

Malware could do that (so perhaps run a virus scan), as could an
over-zealous program add-on [can disable these (in IE7) via Tools > Internet
options > Programs > Manage add-ons], or, as suggested previoiusly, the
'Phishing Filter' may not be working correctly. So it may be worth exploring
those 3 options.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Possibly there was a temporary glitch in your internet service. It's not
uncommon that something somewhere in the whole chain of communications gets
bogged down, or suffers a failure that gets fixed in a short time.

Or maybe not, of course

Jon

Thank you for your speedy response and your courtesy in helping me work on
this. I found after getting through on your link that the other link
(www.static.com) was now working. It hadn't before I posted. I had already
disabled add-ons. One link, which was in Wikipedia, failed to work and then
later did work. Very mysterious and not Google related, of course.

I use Norton Internet Security 2009 and that has not shown anything up yet.
I'm not quite sure where the Phishing Filter if in IE8, but I'll find it, I
hope. Thank you for your help.

Well, dash me, that worked. What is different about your link from the
ones I
have been trying?

None in theory, other than that I knew it to be a 'clean direct link'. It's
possible that something could be affecting the formation of links in the
results of your Google searches + other pages.

Malware could do that (so perhaps run a virus scan), as could an
over-zealous program add-on [can disable these (in IE7) via Tools > Internet
options > Programs > Manage add-ons], or, as suggested previoiusly, the
'Phishing Filter' may not be working correctly. So it may be worth exploring
those 3 options.

 

[Tony UK]

But that does not take account of the fact that the problem totally
disappears when I uninstall IE8, which I have done twice. However, thank you
for taking an interest.

Possibly there was a temporary glitch in your internet service. It's not
uncommon that something somewhere in the whole chain of communications gets
bogged down, or suffers a failure that gets fixed in a short time.

Or maybe not, of course

Jon

Thank you for your speedy response and your courtesy in helping me work on
this. I found after getting through on your link that the other link
(www.static.com) was now working. It hadn't before I posted. I had already
disabled add-ons. One link, which was in Wikipedia, failed to work and then
later did work. Very mysterious and not Google related, of course.

I use Norton Internet Security 2009 and that has not shown anything up yet.
I'm not quite sure where the Phishing Filter if in IE8, but I'll find it, I
hope. Thank you for your help.

Well, dash me, that worked. What is different about your link from the
ones I
have been trying?


None in theory, other than that I knew it to be a 'clean direct link'. It's
possible that something could be affecting the formation of links in the
results of your Google searches + other pages.

Malware could do that (so perhaps run a virus scan), as could an
over-zealous program add-on [can disable these (in IE7) via Tools > Internet
options > Programs > Manage add-ons], or, as suggested previoiusly, the
'Phishing Filter' may not be working correctly. So it may be worth exploring
those 3 options.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

But that does not take account of the fact that the problem totally
disappears when I uninstall IE8, which I have done twice. However, thank you
for taking an interest.

You are right. But here's an experience I had:
A few years ago, I installed a new modem (maybe it was DSL? I Don't
recall.). I tried everything for a couple of hours and got nowhere. Finally
I called the tech support team. Here's what I learned: "Oh, yes - our
network went down a couple of hours ago". The time in question was only a
few minutes before I had connected the new modem

When their system came back up, everything worked a champ...

So, watch out for "post hoc, propter hoc".

I even had a similar experience later, but I don't remember the particulars
any more.

Possibly there was a temporary glitch in your internet service. It's not
uncommon that something somewhere in the whole chain of communications gets
bogged down, or suffers a failure that gets fixed in a short time.

Or maybe not, of course

Jon

Thank you for your speedy response and your courtesy in helping me work on
this. I found after getting through on your link that the other link
(www.static.com) was now working. It hadn't before I posted. I had already
disabled add-ons. One link, which was in Wikipedia, failed to work and then
later did work. Very mysterious and not Google related, of course.

I use Norton Internet Security 2009 and that has not shown anything up yet.
I'm not quite sure where the Phishing Filter if in IE8, but I'll find it, I
hope. Thank you for your help.

:

Well, dash me, that worked. What is different about your link from the
ones I
have been trying?


None in theory, other than that I knew it to be a 'clean direct link'. It's
possible that something could be affecting the formation of links in the
results of your Google searches + other pages.

Malware could do that (so perhaps run a virus scan), as could an
over-zealous program add-on [can disable these (in IE7) via Tools > Internet
options > Programs > Manage add-ons], or, as suggested previoiusly, the
'Phishing Filter' may not be working correctly. So it may be worth exploring
those 3 options.

 

[Tony UK]

That matches my experience two weeks ago with AT & T. I was about to turn
blue, then I managed to get past all the buttons you press and got a real
human being. I told her I couldn't get on the Internet properly. She listened
to everything I had to say about what I had tried to cure the problem. Then
she said, rather casually i thought, "Our system has been down for two hours.
If you can hear the other voices in the background, that's our staff fielding
calls just like yours. We are working on the problem and we hope everything
will be working soon." A few minutes later the Internet returned.