Tech question on browsers.

[trof]

I started using Firefox a year ago and have it set as my default.
Lately, when I click on a url that's come in an e-mail it opens the page in Internet Explorer and all hell breaks loose with pop-ups and cookies.

Any way to stop this and make everything open in Firefox or not at all?
Thanks.

[mockmonkey]

1. XP? Try this

Click start > Set Program Access and Defaults > custom

And then pick whatever you want, hopefully that will work.

[trof]

4. Yep, XP. Shoulda said.

Thanks, I'll try it.

[bearfan454]

2. Get a free op up stopper at

http://www.panicware.com

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Go to tools --> options --> general, and check that the

"make sure firefox is default browser" box is checked.

that ought to do it for you.

[trof]

5. Did what mockmonkey said and what you said. Still opens in IE.

Damn.
Doesn't happen all the time, but seems to more lately.

I can copy the url and paste it in an open Firefox window and it works fine.
:shrug:

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Maybe your IE is set to be the default browser as well?

Check the settings in that.

If that doesn't help, then I am no longer of any use to you.

[lildreamer316]

7. Ya know,

it's possible that this is the result of a hijacking virus or spyware.
Run something to check that, maybe?

[pokerfan]

8. Spyware

Last time anything similar happened to me, it was the 'winfixer' trojan horse. Kept launching IE. At the time, neither spybot nor adaware could remove it, so I had to edit the registry by hand. Talk about a pain in the butt.

[lildreamer316]

9. That's why I had to

break down and buy spysweeper. I was pissed about it, but it sure did help.

[trof]

10. Thanks all. Running spybot & blaster now.

Maybe that'll do 'er.

[Bossy Monkey]

11. You've probably done this, too, but Spybot has an Immunize function

that blocks bad downloads and sites. (You hit the Immunize button on the left side of the panel, then Immunize and also activate Download Helper.) These will help until you figure out how to disable IE (short of uninstalling IE, which you can also do, though it's probably a bit drastic.)

HijackThis is very good and free, but you have to find a trustworthy online help desk to help you sort through the log it generates.