Electronics

[AngelPuppy1]

I have an issue and don't know exactly how to explain it.  As I have explained on past posts, I am not computer or phone saavy at all, so when something negative happens, I am lost!

Here is what I am experiencing and I will try to explain it the best that I can.

I have and use an Apple IMac desktop computer which is only a year or so old.  I also have an IPhone which is several years old.  Don't know if this is relevant info but thought I would mention it.  The issue I am having is only with the IMac desktop, and not with the Iphone.

Here goes.  I go to my gmail and open up my mail.  On the section which is labled "Promotions" -- I have a lot of e-mails from companies and vendors --- which I enjoy and they are all for the most part companies that I have dealt with or do still deal with.  For example - I get an e-mail from (fictitious name) - Bluberries are Us.  I hit on it and it says --- Big sale - open up for your 25% discount.  When I hit on this part - I cannot get any more info as it says:  Safari can't open the page -- and further down it says "The error is the URL was blocked by a content blocker".

I did not have this issue until a few weeks ago.  

Can anybody tell me why this might be occurring and how --- in very simple terms, I might be able to remedy it?

As I said earlier, I don't have this issue with my Iphone.

Thank you and I appreciate any replies.  

[Ainhisg]

Go up to Safari in the upper left corner.  Click on it, then Preferences, and then the next screen, on the left, click on content blockers.  You should see gmail and toggle it off if it is on.  At the bottom is a place to choose to turn content blocker off when visiting other websites, and I have that turned off, too.

I downloaded the chrome browser to use with gmail.  Go to google and type in chrome browser.  You can download it, and then place it in the tray at the bottom.  

I also have the Firefox browser, too.  I mainly use Safari, but I find Safari to be finicky about some websites, and things don't load well, easily, or quickly.  I can switch to Firefox or Chrome, and the website will work fine.

[50Mickey]

I use a MacBook and I have found Safari to be pretty useless with lots of websites. I switched to Chrome and have no problems with this browser. 

[CalminHeart]

I use Apple devices too. 

I investigated fraud for 20 years. You'd be amazed what scammers will try.

I would never never click on a link in an ad-email. 

1. Stop clicking on ad emails and links in them. You're asking for trouble that way.

2. Just because you get an ad doesn't mean they are legitimate. 

3. If you want to know if something is legit, go to their website using your internet search. **I never do this as I don't want more cookies than naturally build up.

4. I block all ads unless I confirm they're from a company with which I already do business.

**I can click on block and my Apple products tell me the full name of the sender before I open it. If it's really legit, I can cancel the block right there.

••Look carefully. There may be 1 letter wrong or different from the legit site.

5. I would consider that Safari response to be a warning about a possible scam. 

6. Clear your cookies, cache, and history on a regular basis. I do it every 7-10 days.

[BlueFinch]

@CalminHeart You've given a great list of ways to avoid scammers. I'm no fraud nerd, but I've learned to live by your list by necessity. It's probably not that Safari couldn't open the page for the OP, but they just wouldn't. I have very little trust for Google, too. They harvest a lot of data, they don't need to have. Not sure how well they vet those placing ads on their sites, either. 

It's a shame that we have to police our devices constantly. I remember the days when I could have simple little passwords, now I feel like I'm trying to get into a bank vault, just to go into my favorite sites and I still don't consider them safe. It's not much fun anymore, when clicking on anything without caution can open the door to malicious activity.

Every new safety feature that comes out is quickly mastered by the tech thieves. For facial recognition, they're working on AI that can mimic one's face. What next. I can't imagine what it will be like in the coming years. 

[Mz iMac]

@AngelPuppy1  I have an iMac.  I have never used Safari because it needs to much TLC for my taste.

I am not going suggest anything because the responses in this thread are pretty good troubleshooting suggestions.  For my money, the top suggestion(s) you should really, really, take into consideration are the ones made by CalminHeart.

[gadgetgal613]

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@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

I have an issue and don't know exactly how to explain it.  As I have explained on past posts, I am not computer or phone saavy at all, so when something negative happens, I am lost!

Here is what I am experiencing and I will try to explain it the best that I can.

I have and use an Apple IMac desktop computer which is only a year or so old.  I also have an IPhone which is several years old.  Don't know if this is relevant info but thought I would mention it.  The issue I am having is only with the IMac desktop, and not with the Iphone.

Here goes.  I go to my gmail and open up my mail.  On the section which is labled "Promotions" -- I have a lot of e-mails from companies and vendors --- which I enjoy and they are all for the most part companies that I have dealt with or do still deal with.  For example - I get an e-mail from (fictitious name) - Bluberries are Us.  I hit on it and it says --- Big sale - open up for your 25% discount.  When I hit on this part - I cannot get any more info as it says:  Safari can't open the page -- and further down it says "The error is the URL was blocked by a content blocker".

I did not have this issue until a few weeks ago.  

Can anybody tell me why this might be occurring and how --- in very simple terms, I might be able to remedy it?

As I said earlier, I don't have this issue with my Iphone.

Thank you and I appreciate any replies.  

---

I have an iMac, use Firefox and have started having the same issue with more than just my e-mail.  I believe many companies are adding new safety measure to avoid problems. 

[AngelPuppy1]

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@Ainhisg wrote:

Go up to Safari in the upper left corner.  Click on it, then Preferences, and then the next screen, on the left, click on content blockers.  You should see gmail and toggle it off if it is on.  At the bottom is a place to choose to turn content blocker off when visiting other websites, and I have that turned off, too.

I downloaded the chrome browser to use with gmail.  Go to google and type in chrome browser.  You can download it, and then place it in the tray at the bottom.  

I also have the Firefox browser, too.  I mainly use Safari, but I find Safari to be finicky about some websites, and things don't load well, easily, or quickly.  I can switch to Firefox or Chrome, and the website will work fine.

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@Ainhisg 

Thank you!  I didn't see the Preferences button for a long time -- my computer must be set up a little different.  I tried it I think but haven't had a chance to go through all of them to see if it works! 

[AngelPuppy1]

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@50Mickey wrote:

I use a MacBook and I have found Safari to be pretty useless with lots of websites. I switched to Chrome and have no problems with this browser. 

---

@50Mickey 

Thank you.  DH told me not to switch to Chrome - don't know why??? 

[AngelPuppy1]

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@CalminHeart wrote:

I use Apple devices too. 

I investigated fraud for 20 years. You'd be amazed what scammers will try.

I would never never click on a link in an ad-email. 

1. Stop clicking on ad emails and links in them. You're asking for trouble that way.

2. Just because you get an ad doesn't mean they are legitimate. 

3. If you want to know if something is legit, go to their website using your internet search. **I never do this as I don't want more cookies than naturally build up.

4. I block all ads unless I confirm they're from a company with which I already do business.

**I can click on block and my Apple products tell me the full name of the sender before I open it. If it's really legit, I can cancel the block right there.

••Look carefully. There may be 1 letter wrong or different from the legit site.

5. I would consider that Safari response to be a warning about a possible scam. 

6. Clear your cookies, cache, and history on a regular basis. I do it every 7-10 days.

---

@CalminHeart 

I never go into an e-mail if I don't recognize the name and/or company.  These promotional e-mails I get are all from companies I have been using or have used and had no issue with.  I didn't think I needed to be worried if the e-mails I get are from companies I use a lot - I guess this is not true?  I don't know -- I guess you can't believe anything any more.