Links in hubs...

1. 85

   DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years ago

   I'm familiar with the new protocol, whereby it is preferable to use "anchor text" for links instead of a link capsule.  That's fine.  However, I'm editing a couple of older hubs that need to be merged into one.  In one of them, there are several links within the text, and I did not put them there!!  How did they get there, and why?  It is overkill, because the word is made into a link every time it appears!  Very annoying.
   
   I'm removing them manually, but I want to know how that happened in the first place, and be sure it does not happen again.

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   1. 88

      lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      This seems like a famous case of text ads. And the way you describe it, it also seems like they are caused by some external program. Are you actually getting rid of them manually via the edit mode? If yes then it's something else.

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      1. 85

         DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         yes, I am able to get rid of them via the "break the link" tool.

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   2. 93

      vocalcoachposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Good question.  I'm interested in knowing why and how this happens.

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   3. 79

      kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I suddenly feel faint.

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      1. 93

         vocalcoachposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         LOL~!!!

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         1. 79

            kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            Whew!!! Who am I? Where am I? Oh, hi, vocalcoach!

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   4. STAFF

      Matt Wellsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      HubPages does not automatically add links to your Hubs. This is most likely caused by an extension installed on your browser. Please send us a link to a Hub where you are experiencing this issue to team@hubpages.com and we will take a look.

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      1. 85

         DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Ackkkkk...I already fixed it, and deleted the hub in question, as it was one of two I was editing to merge into a single hub.  That process was completed yesterday.

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2. 93

   Titiaposted 7 years ago

   Are those hubs by any chance transferred lenses? I know that Squidoo used text ads in our lenses. Maybe they're leftovers from the old Squidoo time.

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   1. 85

      DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      No, I was never on Squidoo.

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      1. 83

         Venkatachari Mposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         When you click those links, do you see any ad? I do not suspect them to be text ads. It is something else. Some glitch that took place during previous editings made unknowingly by you or something like that.
         I would like to know the reasons and solutions if HP can clear it.

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3. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 7 years ago

   In the past when people have reported this kind of thing happening, it's been some kind of malware or adware on their own computer.  HubPages doesn't do in-text ads, even on old Squidoo lenses.

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   1. 85

      DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      oh, ugh!  That stinks, Marisa!  Our anti-virus program did expire, and we could not afford the renewal cost.
      So, I'm basically relying on the firewall with our ISP and any such updates as Microsoft sees fit to apply. 
      
      I thought it might be Google, not HP.  sigh,,,

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      1. 79

         kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         @Dzy

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      2. 83

         Venkatachari Mposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         But, Dzy, you can avail the free antivirus and malware programs available just like me. I use malware anti bytes and Comodo internet security.

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4. 94

   Beth Eaglescliffeposted 7 years ago

   I agree with VM. Free anti-virus and malware downloads protect your PC from virtually all infection. I've used the free AVG for the last 10 years and never had a problem. I'm currently trying out the free versions of Avira Connect in tandem with Malware anti-bytes and they seem fine too (although the scans seem to take longer so I may switch back to the free AVG.)

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   1. 83

      Venkatachari Mposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      True, Beth. I also used AVG for 2,3 years and found it very safe and good. Later, when I switched my PC, I shifted to Comodo Internet Security which is already installed in it by my son.

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      1. 85

         DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you both.  I was able to find the free Malwarebytes, and ran it.  It found no issues at all.  So that leaves no solution for the original weird problem... 

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         1. 88

            lobobrandonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            It may not always be a Malware. Sorry about my short reply earlier. I was heading to an exam lol. It's more likely to be a plugin installed on your browser than a malware. Something that you recently installed or updated would have done this.
            
            If you're using chrome just type this in your URL bar: chrome://plugins/ and look if there's something out of the ordinary there. It's been a while since I used firefox, but a simple google search will let you know how to get to the plugins on there or any other browser.

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         2. 79

            kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

            @Dzy . . .does your PC have an internal program named "Windows Defender?" I have an Acer laptop and it was included in the software. It works decently, but Norton standard anti-virus/malware is also worth a second look.
            This message to you was approved by me, Kenneth Avery, who is taking time out from watching the Presidential Inaugural festivies to help you, my good friend. Thanks.

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            1. 85

               DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

               Ah, thanks, Kenneth.  And Yes, my PC does have that...I had to search all the way to the bottom of the menu, and all the way to the bottom of the selections within THAT menu. 
               They sure didn't make it easy to find.  But, it's apparently automatically running, so I feel better about not being able to buy the other software.

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               1. 79

                  kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  @DzyMsLizzy,
                  Great job! I received the Norton for Christmas, but I knew that it ran around $40.00 for the standard version. And I found out today that a computer tech friend of mine did not approve of Norton. Where was he before Christmas????
                  Just use common sense and run your MalWare Bytes which has a Free Download online and you should be fine.

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                  1. 85

                     DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                     My husband also has a computer background; he was a hardware/software configuration specialist. 
                     
                     He likes neither Norton nor MacAfee.  We had been using Webroot; and it's not horribly pricey, but it was just enough to be outside of our limited budget.
                     
                     

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                     1. 79

                        kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                        @Dzy, you are very blessed. I challenge you to tell your
                        gifted husband how great it is having him around. I am
                        very serious. (not a bad hub idea, huh?)

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                     2. 86

                        Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                        Then he should know that Avast or Avira, both absolutely free, will do the job. You need more than Defender

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                        1. 85

                           DzyMsLizzyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                           That's what he was doing before he was forced to retire from disability.  His certs are obsolete by now; he's probably never heard of those two... 

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                           1. 86

                              Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                              You definitely need one of those two programs, MsLizzy.  Defender is not enough on its own.

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                           2. 79

                              kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                              @Dzy,
                              Before I am accused of starting problems, "I apologize to you for not
                              knowing more about anti-virus/malware programs."
                              Just wanted to get this to you.

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                           Venkatachari Mposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                           But, I had avast free software previously and even then, I experienced some problems through spyware catching my network. Unwanted and obscene ads showed up on my sites due to that.
                           I believe windows defender prevents even such virus and hackers entering through the network connections.

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                              Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                              Defender is not enough, it is not a full anti-virus program.  You can run Defender alongside one of those two.

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                        3. 79

                           kenneth averyposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                           @Marisa, before reading your post I did not know
                           about Vista or Avira. I was simply sharing what I
                           knew and what worked.

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                           1. 86

                              Marisa Wrightposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                              If you switch to Chronological view in the forums, you will find it much easier to follow the conversation because you'll be able to see who I'm replying to.  I was replying to MsLizzy.

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               2. 83

                  Venkatachari Mposted 7 years agoin reply to this

                  So, @Dzy, you have that Windows Defender installed in your computer already! And, your husband himself well equipped with all these things! Then, why do you worry? You have no security or virus threats as far as I believe. As Kenneth assured you, you are a lucky woman and enjoy it.

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