Help. Clicking on an internet link in a email automatically opens an Install Wizard

[Portofino]

for my home Banking. The page itself never opens. I've looked at my internet settings but can't see anything obvious. DH says he doesn't haven't a clue and obviously has the impression that I've "done" something. It works for him he says. Not that he has tried of course. It's driving me mad.

Have you tried copyining and poasting the URL to eth address bar?

Are you sure this is from your bank and not a scam?. Does it specifically ask you to use the link to log on and do something?

I would clean your pc with your virus checker. Be careful of anything that automatically downloads onto your pc.

Go through your homebanking system through Google rather than through your email.

Phone your bank's technical support. If they don't know what it is, use a virus checker, as Rhubarb says, and also download anti malware and spyware software, e.g. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

We're super firewalled up. I don't think it is a virus. The software to install the homebank service is in the pc. And it is an offline thing.

Firewall doens't protect against viruses.

What they are saying is that the link could be phoney and therefore taking you to a site which may download a trojan or something.

Which bank? What does the text of the email say?

Right click on the link and copy the internet address, paste it up here, but change http: at the start to xxxx:, so nobody can accidentally click through.

I got an incredibly realistic looking one from HSBC but I don't believe its genuine, so emailed it through to HSBC:

Account Security Confirmation,
Online security - The steps we take
Ensuring your online transactions are safe and secure

As a bank we are used to thinking about security. The growth of the internet has offered greater flexibility for us all, but it also brings new risks that must be guarded against. At HSBC, we use industry standard security technology and practices, focusing on three key areas privacy, technology and identification to safeguard your account from any unauthorized access.

Online security - The steps you should take
There is much that you can do to protect yourself online. Some of these measures are simple, others may require a little time invested or following simple instructions sent by us to you by email, Phone or Post. As part of our security measures, We are introducing New Security one of the various security initiatives we are introducing this Year. To enroll in this new Security please click on the LOG IN button below. This Email has been sent to all HSBC Bank Customers, Failure to follow the Enrollment process properly will result in account suspension for security reasons

Security Advisor
HSBC Bank PLC.

----------------

Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
For assistance, log in to your HSBC Online Bank account and choose the "Help" link on any page.

HSBC Email ID # 1009

That's good, that one. Almost sounds genuine, but "Failure to follow the Enrollment process properly will result in account suspension for security reasons" really raises a number of red flags.

Don't ever install anything from a link in an email unless you are expecting it and know exactly what it is.

CruelAndUnusualParenting, that's what triggered doubts in my mind too. Plus a bank wouldn't ask you to log on from a link, it would direct you to its website.