Outlook closes web browser when closing

[Janice]

I just switched from Outlook Express 6 to Outlook 2002
(since people kept sending me files/attachments that only
Outlook can read and it was driving me nuts). I'm not
sure I get why Outlook does the things it does.

Why do links in emails hijack existing browser windows?
I'd rather they opened in a new window. How?

Also, said browser window will rudely close down when
Outlook closes. Why? How do I make it stop?

TIA,
Janice