Explain the links in posts...

pitterpatter129 · January 2013

Why are random words in posts being linked to other websites? Is it just me or can everyone see this (underlined words that turn into links)? Is there a way to block it or keep it from happening? Should I be worried about viruses?

jillybean800 · January 2013

Weird...I haven't seen anything like that on my computer...

JoJoMama730 · January 2013

I haven't seen anything like that either, and my gut reaction is virus or trojan horse. Have you noticed anything else weird with your computer? We had a trojan horse on our computer and it was doing weird random things, one of which was sending us to sites that differed from the link. It also went undetected by the common virus scan software, but I finally got rid of it.

pitterpatter129 · January 2013

Oh great, it's just me... For example, in your answer jojo, my computer has underlined the words "virus scan software" and if I hover over it with my mouse, it brings up a link for some sort of virus scanning software! Ack! I'm guessing we have some sort of virus. Again. Even though we pay yearly for a top notch virus program. Excellent.

JoJoMama730 · January 2013

Yep, I'm thinking virus and/or trojan. Try downloading the Avast virus program, and Hijack This software. Hijack This is the software that caught the trojan horse. Both have free trials. Run them and see what they say. DH's opinion is that these work as well as if not better than Norton, McAfee, and other paid programs. Just a suggestion. Computer issues are a PITA. They drive me nuts! Good luck!

bosha711 · January 2013

Yes, that happens to me on Windows ever since there was a stupid auto-update a few weeks ago. Totally annoying.

bosha711 · January 2013

Just to elaborate to others not seeing it- random words are underlined & if you hover over it, a little pop up comes up allowing you to search the web for that particular word/phrase. I suppose it thinks it's being helpful, but it's not, lol. It's confusing on the message boards where you can actually make words hyperlinks in your post.

JoJoMama730 · January 2013

bosha711:
Just to elaborate to others not seeingnbsp; it random words are underlined amp; if you hover over it, a little pop up comes up allowing you to search the web for that particular word/phrase. I suppose it thinks it's being helpful, but it's not, lol. It's confusing on the message boards where you can actually make words hyperlinks in your post.

Well an annoying Windows update is much better than an annoying virus. It's good news if it's not a virus. Sorry I jumped to conclusions.

JRP00 · January 2013

This would happen to me but ever since i installed a diffrent anti-virus it doesn't happen any more.

pitterpatter129 · January 2013

JoJoMama730:
bosha711:
Just to elaborate to others not seeingnbsp; it random words are underlined amp; if you hover over it, a little pop up comes up allowing you to search the web for that particular word/phrase. I suppose it thinks it's being helpful, but it's not, lol. It's confusing on the message boards where you can actually make words hyperlinks in your post.
Well an annoying Windows update is much better than an annoying virus. It's good news if it's not a virus. Sorry I jumped to conclusions.

Our windows actually just updated too the other day, about the same time I started noticing this. I hope that's all it is! I think I'm going to flat out ignore it for a few more days before calling the computer guy.