Internet Explorer stops working after clicking a link that opens a new window

Everytime I click on a link to open a new window, one of the two following messages pops up:

Internet Explorer has stopped working.
(in small font) Internet Explorer can search online for a solution

Then it gives these options:
Check online for a solution and close the program
Close the program

Then it gives some details.

or this will pop up:

Internet Explorer has stopped working.
(in small font) Internet Explorer can search online for a solution

Then it gives these options:
Check online for a solution and restart the program
Restart the program (by doing this it closes the current window and re-opens a new one on my home page)

Then it gives some details.

Can someone tell me why this is happening? What I can do to fix it?

Thanks!!