when I go to www.blablabla it's all in yellow. What happened?

Question

all the web sites I visit are the same way. Go to ..... is in yellow. very hard to read. I don't think I've done anything to change that.

Answer 1

Can you specify which browser you use? Internet Exlorer... Firefox... Opera? Something else?

OK, I got your e-mail that you use Internet Explorer. You said, "Also if I type in www.blablabla in my emails they turn yellow also. I was told that they don't come out that way on the other end."

I'm not sure what you mean -- what is turning yellow, the link in the e-mail, or the background, or what?

I have three suggestions. One, would you be willing to try the Firefox browser? It's a very good browser, and you'll find you can adjust to it, after using IE, in very little time. You wouldn't have to keep it, but it might tell you something... if this problem happens in Firefox, too, then obviously it's got something to do with software they both have in common, such as Windows itself.

Two, is there any setting in Internet Explorer which lets you change the colors of the background (and which would over-rule the settings a Website provides)? It seems I may have seen something like that, but it's been a year or so since I've used IE with any regularity. I'd check in the Tools menu, maybe under Internet Options.

It's possible that could explain the colors in your e-mails, too, if such a thing exists, and if you use Outlook Express, because that program uses some of the settings IE uses, if I recall correctly.

Finally, though I think people cry "virus" too easily for all kinds of problems, it really might be the case, this time. Or spyware of some kind. It's interesting that this is happening with both your browser and your e-mail program. Have you kept up to date with your virus definitions -- you do have a/v protection, don't you? (Gulp, if not!) Have you done a full system scan in the last week or two? I'd recommend that even if you were having no trouble.

An antispyware scan every couple weeks is probably a good idea, too. There are several good free programs online, including LavaSoft Ad-aware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows Defender, and Tenebril SpyCatcher. Or buy a good one, such as Webroot SpySweeper.

I hope one of those helps.