I don't usually click on links as my dial up is so slow I probably couldn't get to where it leads to and forget about if it is a video. Lots of pictures will not load in for me either.

Sue

not unless I feel respect for the poster.

I've never had a problem with links posted here on Kitchen table. I will continue clicking.

I most often click links shared here, but recently I did it and got a video of a dog which I didn't need to see. Did anyone else get that one?

If it is a shared link by a person I know, then yes I open it if I think it is something that would interest me. I've never had an issue with a link posted by an acquaintance.

I usually will, too. And I haven't had a problem so far.
Sometimes I'll stop and think maybe I don't need to click on that.

Didn't see the dog one but I haven't been here much either.

Don't think I've had my anti virus pop up either.

I click on links from certain people in certain places.

But in other places, no.

Socks, I know which dog link you're talking about and when I went back to see if anyone commented on it, the link post was gone. I was a bit shocked that someone would post something like that. Oh well, no harm done really.

I am very selective on where I click especially if I am on one of my windows computers, if on linux I am not as cautious.

I usually am very wary of what I click on. The few I've ever clicked on that made my virus protection freak out were ones I found during a Google search. And you better believe I got off it as quickly as possible. My husband, however, will usually click on just about anything. He's been told by me and others what can happen, though. I think his curiosity gets the best of him. Fortunately, we use different computers.

I have never ran into an issue here so I usually click the link with no hesitation.

I have no problem clicking merrily along at this site.
I am more selective elsewhere.

Automatically? - NO. I think about them before I click, of course.

I can't say I click on too many posted here, though.

I click on the links here.
I have WOT downloaded on my computer. Web Of Trust.
It will warn you of sites that are suspicious, malicious, etc.
It's a great program....especially with Google and search engines. There is so much garbage out there, and if you click on a site, a window comes up, saying that the site is dangerous or whatever. I immediately close it and get the heck out of there!

I have the same problem as Marilyn Sue. My dial up is too slow and often will not load pictures and videos.
Just a side note....I tend to speed read and when I first read the title of this post, I first read it as....Are you a lint licker? I;m retired I should remind myself to slow down. LOL

Ha ha, dotmom! I read the same thing. And on another post title I thought I saw the word "dam*" in the title--I did a double-take. I think I need more sleep.

Thanks, Sjerin, I'm glad I'm not a lone ranger.

I'll click on link that is from someone that's at least been around a while and is a topic in which I have interest. If someone just goes something like "THIS IS SOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!" then nope. It's just plain rude to not say what it is you want me to open. No different than when someone leaves a message "CALL ME!!!!" which doesn't get a prompt response from me either. Say why, or say nothing. :) Same thing with email attachments. I don't open my door for someone in a mask either. And I have Opera which doesn't have all of the security problems other browsers have so I feel a bit safer using that. Plus it's so much faster that when I was on dialup it made possible many things not comfortable on others. I have good protection on my system too and keep it maintained. But the biggest thing is using common sense. If something smells, I don't go for it. Let some other sucker's computer die from curiosity.

Although I learned to be a bit paranoid when I handled sensitive materials and couldn't risk having my computer infected and it's just carried over. I still back up often too!

Thanks to those who have given your thoughts on this topic. Please allow me to say that it was posted without the "Kitchen Table" specifically in mind, though I understood afterward that it could have seemed that way. Nay rather, it concerns most links anywhere, and I certainly understand wishing to know someone fairly well before clicking on links. That doesn't even mean that someone who posts a troublesome link is doing so on purpose, but it often depends on what defense systems individuals are using.

My biggest problems have come by means of search engines! Jasdip, DH recently installed WOT (Web Of Trust) on my computer, too; and though it's not perfect, it does provide a good indicator on just how safe a site is before you click on the link. Like that! I'm probably paranoid. Yes,Cynic. it would be nice to know just where links are going, beyond something being cute. Knowing the name of the destination can allow for some checking beforehand.

Thanks, all, for sharing that others feel cautious, too.

You brought up a good point. I will say I'll open in other forums and places I frequent if I have a good feeling about it. If my gut says no, I don't. But most all the time regardless, I hover over the link and see where it's sending me. If it's a known source or a source consistent with what they're talking about, I'll click it. Sometimes copy the link, paste it and look at it and see if there's any instruction in there that is suspicious. And if I want to see it but have a bad feeling, I'll do a search for the link and see what Google or another search engine has. I'll even take a look at the cached copy of the page rather than the linked page. Occasionally Google will say it's an unsafe site or something an basically enter at your own risk.