I cannot connect to the internet from my outlook express mail

When I click on an url in my e-mail it does not connect to the internet. I have been using a work-around by copying and pasting the url into the internet address tool bar. I have Windows XP, Outlook Express (6) and Road Runner. None of the tutorials in Microsoft address this problem. I think this happened after one of Microsoft’s 3:00 AM updates. I would be estatic if one of you could help me fix this. Thanks, Tuflady